We’re currently updating this website with new content, lived experience spotlights, resources, and international outreach. Stay tuned for exciting additions launching Fall 2026!
Mad Topics: Newsletter
Mad Topics: Anxiety and Depression in Education
Professional Panel Discussion at Tennessee Tech, Live Stream & In-Person (Stonecipher Hall) April 5, 2025, 3–5 p.m. | Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Pre-Tabling & Resources!
Hear About:
- Anxiety & Depression in Education
- Comorbidities of PKU like Anxiety
- Anxiety/Depression Lived Experiences
Email Address: madtopics@tntech.edu Website: tntech.edu/madtopics
Funded by Faculty Grant Program. Additional partners and sponsors include the College of Education & Human Sciences, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, IMPACT Cookeville and IMPACT TTU.
Mad Topics: Panelist Overview
Professional Panel Discussion at Tennessee Tech, Live Stream & In-Person (Stonecipher Hall) April 5, 2025, 3–5 p.m. | Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Pre-Tabling & Resources!
Panelists
- Ben Craft, MS, LPC-MHSP: Clinical perspective + lived anxiety & depression experience.
Role: Panelist
- Derrick Edwards, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC: Clinical perspectives: anxiety/depression,
trauma. Role: Panelist
- Todd Schultz, EdD: Lived experience with anxiety & Phenylketonuria (PKU). Role:
Panelist
- Katie Mixon, BS: Lived experience with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Role: Panelist
- Doug Hensley, M.A. Role: Moderator
Hear About:
- Anxiety & Depression in Education
- Comorbidities of PKU like Anxiety
- Anxiety/Depression Lived Experiences
Email Address: madtopics@tntech.edu Website: tntech.edu/madtopics
Funded by Faculty Grant Program. Additional partners and sponsors include the College of Education & Human Sciences, the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, IMPACT Cookeville and IMPACT TTU.
Mad Topics: Panelists Spotlight
Anxiety and Depression in Education — Professional Panel Discussion at Tennessee Tech, Live Stream & In-Person (Stonecipher Hall). April 5, 2025, 3–5 p.m. | Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Pre-Tabling & Resources!
Panelists
- Doug Hensley, M.A. - Moderator
- Derrick Edwards, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC - Clinical perspectives: anxiety/depression,
trauma - Panelist
- Ben Craft, M.S., LPC-MHSP - Clinical perspective + lived anxiety & depression experience
- Panelist
Stay tuned! Look out for our other panelists sharing their lived experiences with Anxiety or Depression.
Mad Topics: Panelists Spotlight
Anxiety and Depression in Education — Professional Panel Discussion at Tennessee Tech, Live Stream & In-Person (Stonecipher Hall). April 5, 2025, 3–5 p.m. | Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Pre-Tabling & Resources!
Panelists
- Todd Schultz, EdD - Lived experience with anxiety & Phenylketonuria (PKU) - Panelist
- Katie Mixon, B.S. - Lived experience with Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Panelist
Did you know the term Mad Topics was created from Mad Studies and is ultimately what brings the panel to life today?
What are Mad Studies? A research field which examines the lived experiences of people who would have previously been termed “Mad,” such as those with mental disorders or disabilities (International Mad Studies Journal, 2023).
Mad Topics: Director and Coordinator Spotlights
Anxiety and Depression in Education — Professional Panel Discussion at Tennessee Tech, Live Stream & In-Person (Stonecipher Hall). April 5, 2025, 3–5 p.m. | Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Pre-Tabling & Resources!
Panelists
- Kinsey Simone, PhD - 2024 Mad Topics Panelist, Shared lived experiences with OCD
- Role: Director
- Lydia Schultz, B.A.
Counseling & Psychology Graduate student at TN Tech
Role: Project Coordinator
- McClane Oakley, B.S. - 2024 Mad Topics Moderator, Counseling & Psychology Graduate
Student at TN Tech - Role: Partner Coordinator
Coming Soon Fall 2025: Mad Topics Lending Library
A FREE lending library for anyone to lend out books on different “MAD” Topics! Over 30 books for all ages on mad topics like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- PTSD
- ED
- ADHD
- PKU
- Autism
- Complex PTSD
Check out self-help, graphic novels, children books, nonfiction, fiction and more!
Sponsor: First-Generation Student Success.
Thank you to our 2025 Title Sponsor: Rural Reimagined Grant Program
2025 Sponsors: Tennessee Tech College of Education & Human Sciences; Department of Curriculum & Instruction; Office of First-Generation Student Success.
Past TN MT sponsors include IMPACT Cookeville and TN Tech’s Student Government Association SOLO fund on behalf of IMPACT TTU.
2025 Campus Partners: Access, Education Center; ASPIRES SANE Program; Center for Addiction Prevention & Support; Chi Sigma Iota; College of Education & Human Science; Launchpad Student Success Center; Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness; IMPACT TTU; Office of First-Generation Student Success; Rural Reimagined; Women's Center
Thank you to our mad scholars!
- Sheilla Aneno
- Blessing Emilola
- Yongmei Shi
- Danielle Dunn
- Heba Soliman
- Tuan Kiet Le
- Isaac Leavy
- Samantha Bates
- Darian Moore
- Cheyenne Bare
- Braxton Westbrook
- Marcus VanWerry
- Mark Goron
- Monica Aloyo
- Terrance Gibbs
- Emilia Guimaraes Ribeiro
Talking about mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable. We have mental health professionals at all Mad Topics events who are available to direct attendees to supportive resources. Virtual attendees and readers at any point can call the TN Tech Center for Counseling and Mental Wellness at 931-372-3331 or the Eagle Eye After Hours Crisis Hotline at 855-206-8997.
Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness
Did you know?
- Some courses offer students extra credit for attending Mad Topics!
- Educators can receive Professional Development Hours for attending Mad Topics!
- Licensed mental health professionals should determine whether this panel is suitable for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) hours for their division, as per Board of Psychology requirements. Mad Topics symposia aligns with requirements for a professional workshop (see 1180-01-.08, 2.C.2.) and/or academic preparation (see 1180-01-.08, 2.D.ii), and could also pertain to cultural diversity due to discussion of disability stigmas (see 1180-01.-08, 1.d.). It is up to each licensed professional to determine the merit of this event for their specific CE requirements.
To learn more about getting involved with IMPACT TTU, Mad Topics Scholars Program, being a campus sponsor, extra credit, PD, and/or CEU opportunities, email Dr. Kinsey Simone at madtopics@tntech.edu.
