“Be confused, it’s where you begin to learn new things. Be broken, it’s where you begin to heal. Be frustrated, it’s where you start to make more authentic decisions. Be sad, because if we are brave enough we can hear our heart’s wisdom through it. Be whatever you are right now. No more hiding, you are worthy, always”
– S.C. Lourie.
I love that quote because it speaks so highly on the stigma of mental illness. At an early age of 13, I knew that I wanted to be a psychologist. I knew that I wanted to help people in that way. I never truly had a personal experience with mental health or illness at that point, but something in me was set on the idea. During my sophomore year of college, I was going back-and-forth about my career decision. I was in the middle of taking my psychology courses, and not gonna lie, they were kicking my butt. I was really struggling with this idea, and if it was what I was really put on this earth to do.
Not long after, my friend committed suicide. After experiencing and seeing all those people grieving and going through heartbreak from losing someone so close to them, I thought about how an event like this could severely affect their mental health. It made me think if there could have been a different outcome, had the negative idea of being depressed and having anxiety was changed from being seen as weakness and shame— especially for males, and black males at that— to being okay, and the next step would be to seek for help.
When that happened, I knew that God wanted me to pursue this. I believe that every single living person deals with some kind of mental challenge. Obviously, some on a higher scale than others, but it happens. I want to help lower and diminish the rates of suicide, depression, anxiety and other mental health related illnesses. There needs to be more exploration and pursuit of knowledge with mental health. More speaking, more awareness. More acceptance, more compassion. We’re all in this together.
I think that’s an amazing inspiration for your career. My sister just completed her ph.D program as a psychologist. Do you see that in your future? Also, what age population would you want to work with?
Right now my next goal is masters in counseling but maybe a phD in the future. Congratulations to your sister! And i want to work with children and families
I think what your doing is amazingly great! Mental health issues are WAY to often swept under the rug, and the alarming rate that KIDS are taking their own lives is beyond scary! I too had a friend that committed suicide and it forever changed me, and my path in general. I am currently going to school to get my psychology degree , and want to work with children of alcoholics! It’s very alarming the number of adults that are suffering greatly due to being a child of an alcoholic, and so many of the symptoms mimic other things and therefore we get way to many misdiagnosis. The Lord has definitely put it on my heart to be a part of changing that! I have 8 kids- yes not a typo 8 KIDDOS LOL…who are 18, 15, 10, 9, 5, 4, 2, 1
so needless to say I’m doing school slowly -but I am determined to keep on and be a part of the change that I say everyday needs desperately to happen!!! My Dad is an alcoholic and I personally lived the nightmare of his drinking, and If I can save and/or comfort one child from I went through … then all this lack of sleep –not enough time–study all night between– changing diapers- nursing my son,r doing homework while cooking, etc etc…. it will all be so worth it!! Sorry for rambling On! I seem to do that way to often!! … thank you for sharing your life and ideas!
Thank you so much for sharing! Its mind blowing how common mental health is yet no one talks about it! lets change the stigma! XO
Your doing a great job by creating this blog, your going to help so many people out there be aware of mental illness and how it’s not uncommon. So many people feel like it’s only them that are fighting the battle and yet there’s millions just like them. Glad your giving so many people hope to see that they’re not alone.
I had no clue how important my mental health was until about three years ago when I was faced with severe trauma. Each day I am learning, growing and educating myself and taking the necessary steps to make things better for me. Thank you for using your platform to shed light. We need it! ~ God Bless!
I work in the mental health field, everyday, with adults who have severe mental health illnesses like Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder. I am working to help eliminate the stigma attached to these illnesses by integrating my residents into the community. Everyday we go out into the world to show others that we can live a life just like them. If there’s an issue that someone has with us or if they look interested in us, we educate them. Being active in the community and in our lives makes our quality of life so much greater!
That’s amazing that you do that! the world needs more people like you. XOXO