E377 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Hamed Farmand, whose mother was incarcerated for five years when he was six, and is the founder and president of Children of Imprisoned Parents International (COIPI). He studied the fundamentals of psychology at NOVA College and, under the mentorship of Dr. Shervin Assari, gained a deep understanding of the psychological impact of parental incarceration on children. Hamed serves as a board member of the International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents (INCCIP) and is a member of the Global Prison Nursery Network, where he shares his research on children living with their mothers in Iranian prisons. Hamed has earned several prestigious certifications, including “Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice” from Harvard University, a MicroMasters in “Social Work, Practice, Policy, and Research” from the University of Michigan, and a certificate in “Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster, and War” from the University of Minnesota. He is also certified in “Advocating Social Justice and Change” from the University of Adelaide. Dr. and Hamed discussed the profound impact of parental incarceration on children, drawing from Hamed's personal experience and research. Hamed shared how his mother's five-year imprisonment shaped his life and emphasized the need for society, caregivers, and parents to better support children in similar situations. He highlighted the trauma, stigma, and lack of resources that these children face and advocated for open, honest conversations to build trust and resilience. They addressed the importance of providing mental health support for incarcerated individuals and their families, particularly focusing on the role of education, access to services, and reducing stigma. Hamed discussed systemic issues like poverty and gender inequality, noting the link between incarceration and socio-economic challenges. He also emphasized the need for community involvement in supporting these children and preventing trauma from being passed down to future generations. The conversation touched on coping mechanisms children develop due to parental absence, the role of community support, and how dissociation or overachievement can be common reactions to their circumstances. Both speakers stressed the importance of addressing trauma, providing mentorship, and promoting resilience in children affected by parental incarceration. Hamed concluded by discussing his organization's efforts in education, services, and research to support these children globally. 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts/ Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Remember to Subscribe, Listen, Review, and Share! Find me on these sites: *iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i...) *Google Play (https://play.google.com/music/m/Inpl5...) *Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/) *YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/DrFoojan) Platforms to Like and Follow: *Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DrFoojanZeine/) *Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/Dr.FoojanZeine) *Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/DrZeine/) *LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrFoojanZeine)