In this episode of the Tech Ed Clubhouse Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Marialice Curran to unpack one of the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in education today: mental health.

What starts as a conversation about digital citizenship quickly turns into a powerful discussion about language, stigma, masculinity, school culture, and why mental health needs to be treated like physical health—something we actively train, track, and support.

Marialice shares her personal journey into the mental health space, her work with Same Here Global, and how a simple shift in language—from “us vs. them” to “five in five”—can completely change how schools, communities, and individuals show up for one another.

This isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s honest, human, and long overdue.

• Why “1 in 5 have mental illness” is the wrong message

• The Same Here Global philosophy: five in five of us have mental health

• How language shapes stigma in schools and society

• Why mental health should be treated like going to the gym

• The “Gym for the Brain” model and what it looks like in schools

• Masculinity, vulnerability, and the unique mental health challenges men face

• How sports, coaching, and education intersect in powerful ways

• Why proactive mental health work beats crisis response every time

• Simple ways teachers can support students tomorrow—without new programs or mandates

Mental health isn’t something some people have.
It’s something all of us live on a spectrum with—every single day.

When schools change the language, normalize the conversation, and model regulation instead of compliance, everything shifts: culture, trust, and learning.

• Same Here Global: https://www.samehereglobal.org

• Contact Mary Alice: marialice@samehereglobal.org

• Instagram: @dr_mbfxc

• Same Here Scale App: Available via Same Here Global

• Teachers and school leaders

• Coaches and athletic directors

• Counselors and support staff

• Parents and caregivers

• Anyone who believes schools should be more human

If this conversation made you pause, reflect, or feel a little more seen—you’re not alone.

Same here.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review—it helps more educators find conversations like this.