Jay Shifman: What are warning signs of substance misuse with our fraternity or sorority members?

Today we have with us Jay Shifman! For much of his early life, Jay was told that he was living with a debilitating issue of Mental Health. As his condition worsened, Jay was prescribed more drugs at ever higher doses until, in his early 20s, Jay was daily taking more than the estimated lethal dosage of one drug and misusing many others while living with a full-blown issue of Substance Misuse thanks to prescription pills. At 23, after two suicide attempts, an overdose, and time spent in an inpatient hospital and a rehab facility, he decided enough was enough and pledged himself to withdraw from all of the prescriptions. Over the next few years, many of his symptoms completely disappeared. Now he strives every day to end the stigma around the topics of Mental Health and Substance Misuse & Recovery by telling his story and helping others tell theirs.

In episode #137​, we find out about the four universities Jay has attended, what made AEPi Fraternity the right choice for him despite a legacy elsewhere, what mental health resources are available in college, warning signs of substance misuse with our fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, how we can develop open communications in our chapter for difficult discussions, ways we can achieve mindfulness without meditation, how students can meet their fundraising goals, the types of discussions Jay is having on his podcast called “Choose Your Struggle”, and some of Jay’s favorite restaurants in the country. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsJfnLwtjNg