The Potential Role of Tattoos in Healing and Mental Health
Dr. Mo highlights the importance of cultivating empathy and understanding towards individuals with tattoos, acknowledging that their art represents different chapters of their lives. Each tattoo may hold a unique significance, even if perspectives change over time.
Welcome to another INKspirational conversation on Your Ink Story!
Meet Dr. Mo (Melissa Dittberner), a passionate advocate and educator in the field of addiction counseling and prevention, and hear the deeply personal stories behind her tattoos, from her roller derby origins to her journey through academia and recovery.
During our conversation we explore the connection between body art, personal empowerment, and mental well-being.
As a researcher in the field, Dr. Mo discovered a positive correlation between the number of tattoos an individual has and their mental health scores. This emphasizes the potential of tattoos as a form of self-expression and coping mechanism, offering a means for individuals to navigate their emotional well-being.
Our conversation also highlights the importance of cultivating empathy and understanding towards individuals with tattoos, acknowledging that their art represents different chapters of their lives. Each tattoo may hold a unique significance, even if perspectives change over time.
Join us as we uncover the transformative power of body art, the cultural significance of tattoos, and the fascinating intersections between art, identity, and well-being.
You’ll be inkspired and enlightened by Dr. Mo's captivating insights and stories!
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Be sure to hop on over to Your Ink Story’s Instagram feed to watch the video reel showcasing Dr. Mo’s many INKspirational tattoos.
Shoutout to Ann Loris at Painted Lady Co for her beautiful artwork on Dr. Mo!
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Your Ink Story!
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Waving from Boston and wishing you a delicious day, everywhere you glow – cheers!
Ande ♥
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Dr. Mo
CEO, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, street medicine harm reductionist, advocate, educator, researcher, person in recovery
Dr. Mo, (Melissa Dittberner), PhD, CPS, PS, LMT, is an award winning lecturer in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention department at the University of South Dakota. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education, a master’s in Addiction Studies and a bachelor’s in Health Sciences. Dr. Mo is a TEDx speaker, prevention specialist and peer specialist. She is the CEO of Straight Up Care, a telehealth platform for peer specialist. Dr. Mo is the Executive Director of Midwest Street Medicine. She is a co-author of, The Alcohol Reset. She does research on college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction, trauma, body brokering, tattoos as healing and harm reduction. Dr. Mo is a person in long-term recovery and her mission is to empower individuals to learn and navigate their paths to recovery and well-being.
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