COLORADO SPRINGS — Over the last twenty years, Navy veteran Cristi Bundukamara has experienced unimaginable heartbreak: the loss of three children and her husband. Her Husband and two of her children died from the same disorder, and the third drowned. Cristi is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. After experiencing such terrible loss and finding her way through to the other side of grief, she decided the best path forward was using her experience to help others. So, she created a program called Mentally Strong. “We are creating the grief intensive where we are taking all the things that I learned about somatic release and separating the grief and the trauma. And we’re bringing people in for a one-week program..
Meet Cristi Bundukamara | Founder of Mentally STRONG We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristi Bundukamara, and we’ve shared our conversation below. Hi Cristi, what is the most important factor behind your success?Even though I have 20 years of professional mental health experience and I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I attribute my success to my real-life experiences. Life is filled with joy and pain in varying degrees for different people. I have had my share of both and recognize that people are immensely resilient. My story began when my husband and I, after having two children, wanted to give back and adopted five children from the foster care system in Miami Dade County, Florida. Tragedy..
Grief can be lonely; it can be overwhelming. And for so many veterans and families, it can lead to survivor’s guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and getting stuck in a cycle where grief never ends. It doesn’t have to be that way. As a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, I counseled hundreds of people through the grieving process. I also experienced — and am still experiencing — grief myself. Three of my children, Johnny, Reggie, and Miah, all died over the course of 16 years. That’s where the 45 Days of Grief project was born. I needed to set aside the time and space to work through the grief of losing my children. It’s not easy, but I believe sharing my..
Every month, roughly 500 active-duty military members transition from service to civilian life here in Colorado Springs. For those service members, finding employment is a critical step in the process — and not always an easy one. With a growing number of training programs, internships, college credits and resources, veterans now have clearer paths toward civilian careers. Local institutions like Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and Pikes Peak State College provide a variety of services and educational pathways as well as assistance in job training and placement for vets. But, a number of locally owned businesses and organizations do the same. With the vast need for employees in all fields, now is a good time for veterans to pursue new..
Learn about the importance of mental health in the home with Dr. B on this special episode of COSILoveYou. Mental Health In The Home Monday, May 1, 2023 “In this episode, we continue our focus on mental health, turning our attention to how it shows up in homes and families. We sit down with two practitioners who come at their work from different backgrounds and tragedies, but who have allowed their own stories of pain to direct them to intentional, creative approaches to supporting people struggling with mental illness. We also discuss how the home environment contributes to or undermines mental health.” – COSIloveYou Podcast
My name is Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, many call me Dr. B. I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), a Doctor of Healthcare Education (Ed.D), a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a friend. I have been through unimaginable trials in my life and have experienced many feelings as a result: depression, anxiety, anger, and overwhelming stress.
Inaugural awards celebration information. The What, Where, When, and Who to recognize the winner from ten finalists.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 3, 2021 — With a national increase in youth depression and suicide, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, a Colorado Springs psychiatric nurse practitioner, is addressing these mental health concerns by not only acting as a mental health resource and care provider but by building a stronger foundation for future generations with the launch of an online program, Raising Mentally STRONG Kids. The program is designed to help parents support their children through mental health concerns in conjunction with mental health treatment by professionals.
Podcast interview featuring Dr. B. Full recording and transcript available.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 19, 2021– Psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, is changing the landscape for mental health care by launching her own proprietary mobile app and online course programs featuring a unique care model, The Mentally STRONG Method, as the foundation. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month and June being PTSD Awareness Month…
The article highlights the growth wheel and gives advice on ways to empower your kids to have mental strength and references a segment of our Raising Mentally STRONG Kids course.