November 5, 2025 at 12:30 pm PT/3:30 pm ET

Breaking the Stigma: Real Talk on Addiction, Recovery, and Support

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Did you know in 2023, nearly 28.9 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older live with an alcohol use disorder?

Addiction affects millions of people and their families but too often, stigma gets in the way of healing. In this one-hour webinar panel, Calm will lead a powerful conversation with experts and advocates working to change that.

Join us to learn, reflect, and be part of the change. You’ll hear from:

  • Sarah Leitz, MD from Kaiser Permanente, will share clinical insights on substance use disorder and treatment.
  • Darren Waller, NFL player and advocate, will share his personal journey with addiction and recovery.
  • Chibs Okereke, Calm facilitator, who will guide the discussion with compassion and clarity.


This event is brought to you by Calm, Kaiser Permanente, Shatterproof, and the Darren Waller Foundation—organizations committed to breaking down stigma and supporting mental health.

Speakers

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Chibs Okereke

Chibs Okereke is a Stress & Burnout Specialist and Accredited Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher. He’s on a mission to improve the mental health and wellbeing of everyday people living in challenging times.

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Sarah J. Leitz, MD

I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, enjoying the outdoors throughout the seasons. A strong interest in the human body and interpersonal connections lead me to explore the practice of medicine. I received my medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine. Following that, I completed a residency in internal medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. I feel very fortunate to have found such a great fit for a career.

About my practice

A lesson from medical school that I am reminded of daily is that “the patient has all the answers.” I take this to mean that listening to a person’s story allows me to make the right diagnosis and treatment plan for that person. While it takes time to listen, we can get to the answer more quickly in the long run. Having previously practiced primary care, I now focus solely on addiction medicine. It is an honor to work with people who have substance use disorders, to hear their stories, and to provide guidance and treatment at a time of need.

How I thrive

Family, friends, and the outdoors are big components of how I thrive. I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, swimming or going for walks in the forest with our dog. Monthly dinners with girlfriends are a great check-in and a way to explore new restaurants in Portland.

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Darren Waller

Darren Waller, current Miami Dolphins Tight End, is a mental health advocate and now author. Known for his inspiring comeback from addiction, Darren helps others overcome their struggles. His upcoming memoir shares his journey of resilience, faith, and purpose.

A top football prospect from Northwest Georgia, Darren battled addiction from age 15. After a 2017 overdose, he entered rehab, and rebuilt his life. In 2018, the Raiders gave him a chance, and he became one of the league’s top tight ends.

Now seven years sober, Darren dedicates his post-NFL life to mental health and addiction recovery. Through the Darren Waller Foundation, he has provided over $1M in treatment grants to help individuals access recovery programs. Beyond advocacy, Darren channels his experiences into music, using creativity to inspire others.

He currently lives in Miami, FL and is focused on sharing his story through writing, speaking, and music.