My name is Al Levin and I am an assistant principal at a PreK-8 school in Saint Paul Public Schools. I have been in education for over twenty years, the past sixteen years as an administrator. I am married, have four children…and two dogs.
I have completed all of the coursework in working towards a Co-Active coaching certificate through the Coaches Training Institute in 2016. I am currently in their Certification Program with an anticipated completion date of May 2023. I am also certified in Cognitive Coaching. The coaching work I have done has allowed me to support the staff with whom I work in the public schools, as well as others who are seeking support in reaching their goals or working past challenging times in their lives.
I am also a person who has recovered from two major bouts of depressive disorder, one of which was quite debilitating for nearly six months of my life. Through this experience, I have become very passionate about learning more about mental health and supporting others with a mental illness, particularly men with depression. In addition to a blog, I have a podcast in which I interview men who have struggled with depression and/or other mental illnesses and have expanded to include “deep dive” conversations with guest experts on various topics of mental health. Both my blog and podcast can be found at TheDepressionFiles.com.
In addition, I speak publicly for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and, more often, on my own. I have spoken at the Mental Health America (MHA) annual conference and recently had a Keynote at Miami University. I currently serves in a governor-appointed position on the Minnesota State Advisory Council on Mental Health and also the State Suicide Prevention Task Force.
I have been published in The Mighty, The Huffington Post, Psych Central, The Recovery Letters, Made for More, and was featured in Esperanza Magazine and the MinnPost. You will find me Tweeting @allevin18 and can contact me at thedepressionfiles@gmail.com.
Al Levin's Mental Health Website 
Great to meet you, looking forward to many more posts.
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Thank you very much for following my blog. I’m new to blogging and my personal goal at this point is to publish at least one blog a week.
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Thanks for sharing your story. I lost my father to Suicide when I was 17 and Its always powerful to read stories of struggle.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m very sorry for your loss. It’s incredible just how debilitating & how powerfully negative depression can be. The feeling of pain and the unrealistic, but very real feeling of being a burden to others is frightening. Good luck to you!
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would love to be on the depression files. a student athlete working to end the stigma
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Thanks for reaching out, Brett. That would be great. Watch for an email from me! Al
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Hello Al,
I have been following you podcast and actually suggest listening to it in my workshop. I have written a book titled: Crazy, Who Me? My Journey as Leader Overcoming Depression. It is my story: good, bad, and ugly. It also has a happy ending as I have been able to overcome and manage this beast. As a result I have developed a methodology based on my experiences. The workshop is named, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Regaining Your Authentic Leadership. I’d like to discuss the opportunity of appearing on your podcast.
John
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Thanks for listening to and promoting my podcast. Thanks for checking out my blog and taking the time to comment, as well. Would love to get you on the show! I’ll connect with you via Twitter and we can go from there! Thanks again for reaching out. Al
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https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/shame-and-its-connection-to-stigma/
Shame and its Connection to Stigma
If I can convince you you carry a stigma, there is a very real possibility I can convince you to feel shame. They are cut of the same cloth.
If, on the other hand, I cannot convince you, and you maintain your personal strength, you will see me for what I am.
Harold A. Maio, retired editor
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