MENTAL HEALTH

She has insecurities, but she is confident. Sometimes she feels alone, but is surrounded by so many beautiful people. She hurt for a long time and thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel. She is me yet I'd like to think that part of me does not exist anymore, at least 99% of it is permanently gone. This past week watching Simone Biles pull out of events in the olympics because of her mental health, has made me take a second to think about mine.

Please brace yourself since I am going to throw a lot of mental health information your way in these next few lines (ALL IMPORTANT). According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood and more than 40 million adults experience mental illness in a given year - that amount equates to more than double of Florida's population. For African American men, they are less likely to get help for mental illness and as we know when left untreated can be deadly. Untreated mental illness can also make African American men more vulnerable to substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and homicide, this is all according to Brother, You’re on My Mind - which is a partnership between National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Their initiative is to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and their families. "To be seen, to be heard, and to be understood," a quote from Therapy for Black Girls, which is an online space focused on uplifting the mental wellness of Black women and girls. This a lot of information, but it is important to be aware. Mental health is so important, especially within minority communities and another necessary topic for us to make it.

I had experienced depression and had to find the best ways handle it. Depression is different for everyone, yet it is best to make sure we find safe outlets to handle it. I was the queen of self-sabotage, but I woke up one day and had to realize I deserve EVERYTHING in this life. I try to make sure that my mistakes do not control my present and/or future. I am strong, I am a Godly woman, I have a good support system, and it is still okay not to be okay (just in case no one told you that). It took me a while to realize and accept who I am to become more unapologetic for her, while not letting the depression engulf me. I found different ways to extrude it, so I danced, I ran, I threw myself into my career, I ate better, I wrote and then created this blog. You have to find ways that works best for you, therefore you can make an attempt at handling mental illness. I wanted to be brave and share this, I hope you are brave and do what is best for you.

If you or someone you know needs help:

Call your doctor

Call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Call SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)

Call NYS Mental Health Hotline, 1-844-863-9314

If you want to try some hobbies or activities that are good for mental health:

Puzzles, sports, art, reading, writing, gardening, music (listening or playing), jogging, cycling, yoga, pilates, meditation, church etc.