EP: 362 'I Met the Men in Black': Mental Health, Trauma, and an Unexplained Encounter *members only trailer

Tasha shares her deeply personal account of encountering Men in Black during her first psychiatric hospitalization in 2012. As an 18-year-old foster youth experiencing her first psychotic break at UC Berkeley, she found herself restrained on a hospital gurney—where two men in black suits with sunglasses appeared, repeatedly telling her "we're here to make you get better."This episode navigates challenging territory at the intersection of mental health, trauma, and unexplained phenomena. Tasha, now holding a master's degree and advocating for foster youth, reflects on her journey with a schizophrenia diagnosis while maintaining that her Men in Black encounter was real—particularly because she made physical contact, describing their skin as "waxy and cold," matching historical descriptions from Men in Black reports.We explore difficult questions: Can extreme fear or trauma create frequencies that attract unexplained visitors? Do some individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have heightened spiritual perception alongside genuine mental health struggles? Why do Men in Black encounters sometimes occur without any reported UFO activity? Tasha discusses her healing journey through faith, the role of trauma in mental health, alternative treatments including dietary interventions, and why she believes both psychological and spiritual dimensions exist in her experience.The conversation addresses the complexity of discernment for those with mental health diagnoses, the importance of proper support systems, and how Tasha has transformed her painful past into advocacy work for foster youth. She candidly discusses the challenges of living with schizophrenia while maintaining spiritual awareness, the danger of dismissing all supernatural experiences as hallucinations, and the equal danger of attributing everything to the spiritual realm.Content Note: This episode contains discussion of mental health conditions, childhood trauma, and psychiatric hospitalization. Tasha's story represents her personal experience and perspective. We acknowledge the complexity of distinguishing between genuine supernatural encounters and symptoms of mental health conditions, and encourage anyone struggling with similar experiences to seek professional medical and spiritual guidance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices