Your Support Means Something: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

So what is suicide ideation? We hear this word a lot and it wasn’t until I started working at a psychiatric facility, that this word was something I heard daily. I was a young adult ready to dive into the workforce. I recently graduated receiving my bachelor’s in psychology and I was ready to put all of my book knowledge to work. Only to be faced with things that were not discussed in class, which was the different ways to talk about suicide.

Now I have heard about depression, bipolar, and many different personality disorders but I didn’t recall hearing a lot about suicide. Prior to me even going to college I didn’t know anyone that was successful with suicide, therefore the conversation was not discussed in my home. I would hear stories on the news maybe once or twice in my teenage life time, but working in the psychiatric facility gave me a different set of lenses. I was now faced with talking with patients who recently tried to end their life but was saved by someone calling 911 or taking them to the emergency room. This was eye opening for me and I knew having the conversation about suicide was something I had to get use to discussing.

So back to my question: what is suicide ideations? It’s having thoughts, ideas, or rumination of ending one’s life. This isn’t something that is easy, most of the time people feel like they have exhausted all of their resources, whether that’s family, friends, or even trying to obtain some kind of help. Anyone that is successful with suicide is such a huge tragedy and it leaves people wondering what could they have done to avoid this from happening.

1. Listen without passing judgement: life has its challenges and the last thing we need to do is judge someone for what they are dealing with in life. Over the years I have learned that you get more out of someone if you just LISTEN. Often times people are talking and venting and processing their feelings. It’s important to let them do that instead of holding it all in, because honestly we don’t know how much stuff and how long someone has been holding in negative thoughts.

2. Be there: being present plays a critical role, and sometimes that doesn’t mean only when they ask for help. If someone is on your mind and you know they are having challenges, find ways to help them. Go over their house and see if they need help cleaning, there is always a service you can provide for someone. Fold their laundry or check up to see they ate today. Sometimes when people who are in treatment visit their provider, conversations can arise that can be a trigger. Check in to see if they want to go for a walk, talk about something, or take them to go get one of their favorite treats. Having someone shows up is key.

3. Send affirmations: let them know you care, if you see something that may brighten their day send it to them. There’s always something funny on the internet that is worth sharing. Let them know that they too are loved and how important they are to you and their family.

4. Help find help: they may not have the energy to go and find a provider, but you do. Find some information and resources you can show to your loved ones. Most of the times we trust those who we are around the most. Research a therapist or health care provider and even talk to them to see if they are taking new patients.

5. Be intentional: don’t just do things as a check off of your list. Being there for someone requires you to be intentional and showing up for them. It’s also important to not throw your help back into their face. That doesn’t help anyone and it makes one wonder why you were there in the first place. If things become overwhelming for you be sure to take some time for self care.

Try To Help: Supporting Someone Who Has Suicidal Thoughts - Kate Dube’

Also do not be afraid to hear them out. That’s one thing about not passing judgement. Having the conversation about suicide can be concerning. If you feel things are getting out of hand it is critical, contact 911 and if there are somethings you know your loved one has that can be harmful, make it inaccessible to them. Suggest any workgroup and also provide them with the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-8255.

Also, for additional support for you and your loved one you can always check out our magazine issues, we have digital and soft cover copies available for purchase. Our subscription service is also available and will automatically be sent to your home prior to each launch date. This is a great resource to obtain information on mental health, and purchasing something like this for your loved ones will help them and know that you care about how them! It’s a win win. Let us know how our magazine has changed your life!

If this article has been helpful or you have experience with helping someone who had suicidal thoughts, what are some things you’ve done that has helped? Please share as your comments may help others.

Adulting & The Frustration Of It All

I know I am not the only one that wished back I could go back in time and play outside, and not be concerned about food and bills. ADULTING IS OVERATED AND THEEE MOST AT TIMES! There are so many things we have to think about time and time again. Let me just say this, if you have had it you are in the right place. We do everything we are told just to get olde and be annoyed by going to work, paying bills and occasionally buy something for ourselves. Might I add, when we do buy something, it’s from the clearance rack, or food we scuffle down just to be annoyed about it later.

I relocated from my hometown the same year I walked across the stage after receiving my Bachelor’s in Arts Degree. You couldn’t tell me anything, I mean what could you tell a 21 year old with a degree? I was ready to conquer the world, and after being done with school for about 16 years I just knew I had things kinda figured out. I had my eyes on the prize, an apartment, car, job, and freedom! Only to realize that freedom came with a pricetag…ADULTING.

Does this sound like you? I mean seriously, there comes a point in our lives that we think we have it figured out and then BAM! Reality hits us. I noticed I was lonely…a lot. My relationship was stagnet, I wasn’t close to home, at least I didn’t have the money to go home as much as I wanted, and like I said…I was lonely. There was no sugar coding my feelings. I was going to work, existing…literally day to day doing the same thing just to pay the bills. I started to think moving from my hometown was a bad move. At work, I was surrounding by listening to everyone’s problems and I was starting to feel like their problems was just the way things were in life. Frustrating with no positive outcomes.

Have you ever felt this way? I am sure if you open up this blog post. It’s frustrating right? Just sinking into your thoughts not knowing what the outcome is going to be. Its like no one knows what you are going through and when you explain or try to explain yourself to someone one may say you are seeking attention. Now where’s the sincerity in that?

How do you even find someone that you could trust when it comes to talking about your issues. I mean we all have them and some of our friends know how to run their mouth as opposed to listening to our issues and helping us come up with solutions. Then there’s those competitive friends, you know the ones you vent to and they tell me abut their issues and we go back and forth as if we are competing for the negative trophy award, please let me know I am not the only one who have been through this?!

I know you know what I mean. But the big question is, how do I get support? Espcially if I am not in therapy or if I am having a hard time finding someone to talk to? It gets tough out there, internally and externally and there has to be a way out of that…right? There are topics I would love to engage in online, or even with friends on the phone but sometimes it can be hard, especially when everyone has a lot going on.

Let me know what your thoughts are. I must say sometimes reading an article or two can help, especially if it is relatable to what I have going on. At times, when I come across the right article, I mean the one that is word for word talking about my life, it lets me know that I am not alone in this world called life. It gives me guidance on what other people’s outcomes and reading about other people isn’t so bad. I mean that;s one of the reasons we like to watch reality shows right?

I got a few solutions to feeling frustrated and so far, its worked. I am feeling better about it and learning to identify who I need to talk to, and who to show support to, because less face it, who we give our energy to is just as important as who we vent to. There’s a few articles that I know you would love, just head over to our digital content or if your jazzy and want to get the physical content you can check that out as well. I am certain you will read something in there that will be relatable. And when you do, send me an email, I would love to hear your feedback about it!

Let's Start Here...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is also a month where we acknowledge “No Sock Day” “Nurse’s Week” and “Memorial Day”, just to name a few. May always reminds me that summer is right around the corner. I look forward to the greenery, blossom of the flowers and trees. However, I am extremely proud of how far we have come regarding mental health. There are a lot of people having conversations about depression, anxiety, stress, panic attacks, medication management, therapy, treatment etc. It’s a good thing to hear because once we acknowledge it, it provokes others to do something about it.

Talking about mental health is not easy, I mean look how long it took for people to become comfortable discussing mental health. The traumas that people face, the issues that are encounter in homes are all pre requisite for treatment. And no, you do not have to have a crisis to see someone, as a matter of fact it’s good to see someone early on to learn how to cope whenever issues arise. When we can recognize what triggers us, we can figure out ways to work on ourselves.

For the month of May I want you to start loving yourself again. That’s right…I you read it. LOVE YOURSELF. This past year has been rough, and it still is. Some people are going places and traveling while others are still at home playing it safe. Vaccines are being administered to a lot of people and the world honestly can be a scary place right now. Social injustice is still a thing…and police brutality has seem to heighten for some reason. In this country many of us sit on edge not knowing what’s going to happen next. That alone is triggering, but please understand you are not alone and you do not have to go through this journey by yourself.

Talking about mental health can be challenging for some. We may not know how to approach a loved one that we believe should receive some kind of help. I get it, you don’t want to offend anyone and sometimes if you are the one that needs help, you don’t want people to feel awkward. Mental health has come a long way… and I do mean that, but we still have some who are not on board so and the resources are still limited.

How To Show Love To Yourself

Sometimes we have to be intentional about loving ourselves. That helps us mentally which can allow us to feel confident and do the things we need to do with less distractions. Anytime we are distracted we are not moving towards our purpose. And well I can tell you now, that’s not a good thing.

1. Affirmations: Read them out loud and say them to yourself in the mirror. You can start by using one a day, saying it out loud throughout the day and being intentional on how often you say it to yourself.

2. Spend time with yourself: You are a dope person and its time you know about it. Do things with yourself like going out, people watching, and staying in tune with your likes and dislikes. If you live near a grocery story, take a walk next time if you are just picking up something light for example two or three things from the store. Be in tuned with your thoughts and how often you are thinking about the same thing. Also spend time doing things and being mindful of it. Appreciate the now and how you are feeling, sit in that and if it causes you to smile you have the right people in your life, if not…well you’ll have to make some changes.

3. Support systems: Learn who you can count on with your thoughts. Not just someone who is going to tell you want you want to hear, but what you need to know. Someone who can check up on you with no judgement because we can typically judge ourselves into negative thoughts.

Having these things are critical because they all help you, especially when it comes to going through a tough time. If you were like me a few years ago, this information was like gibberish to me. Having insight on what I need to do is great, but having resources are better. To learn more or get additional insight download any of our digital magazines, or check out our soft cover magazines. This will allow you to obtain content, learn about additional support, and meet some cool people that created the content. It’s a win win, and honestly a game changer.

But before I go, how do you show love to yourself? I would love to engage in a conversation with you so we can help others learn about self-love.

Why You Should Express Yourself

When I read personal stories to put into the Helpful Living Magazine, oftentimes people are uncertain of what they should write about. One of the reasons is because they are nervous and don’t know where to begin. Telling your story can be a challenge, and even quite scary. You don’t know how others will take it and most importantly you want to make sure you write the right things. Opening up causes one to be vulnerable. It’s like telling the world about your personal story…and for the most part, it is! Which in my eyes can be scary yet rewarding. That is why it’s important to be clear about what you want to write about. Most importantly you want to be ready.

3 Reasons To Tell Your Story

1. It is therapeutic. Telling your story can help you because it allows you to relive the moments and process how things happened. When telling your story you will be surprised at how far you have come, and also what you have learned through the process. Writing about some of the past events may be triggering and may force you to take a break from writing, however, getting it out is the goal.

2. It brings hope. When people read stories it gives hope. Especially if the story is relatable, it can help someone know they too can get through it. This is critical and one of the reasons why I am adamant about having personal stories in the magazine. When people have hope it allows them to pursue whatever goals they have and know their situation can get better.

3. Not alone. That is one of the critical things I want people to know, especially when it comes to mental health. Being in your thoughts and not certain of how people perceive you can be a lonely place. Not talking about your problems or having an outlet can also make you feel lonely, so when someone reads about another person’s story, it can help in knowing they are not the only one going through this journey alone.

I admire anyone that takes the first step in telling their story. It’s quite awesome and I must say, it’s critical to not tell your story once but to continue to tell your story on as many platforms as possible. The more you tell your story the better you will be about telling it. Also, you have a chance of helping more people who are in dire need of knowing about your journey.

So go ahead. Tell your story. If you are looking for a platform, be sure to reach out to us at info@helpfullivingmag.com. We are constantly looking for contributors. Who knows, your story might be the reason someone decides to get help!

What Millennials Are Missing

What I admire about our generation is that we are innovative. Protesting is something we are not afraid to do, with social media at our finger tips, we are able to capture and see the social injustice in our country. We see evidence of wrongful doings, and no one can lie behind video footage. Seeing how we came out in numbers to shift the narrative in politics was heartwarming. When it comes to society, if there’s a problem that we are faced with, we speak up and do our best to bring awareness. However. it makes me wonder how this effects our mental wellbeing?

Mental health is starting to become a conversation in many homes. While working you may have encountered a webinar about self-care. I know I have heard on the radio and the news about how the pandemic has increased a lot of mental health concerns. There are panels and countless conversations which fills me with joy because mental health is important. There’s a host of facts and statistical evidence that tell you some concerning numbers about mental health. But what’s more concerning is the lack of resources we continue to encounter when it comes to treatment.

The Mental Health Community Needs To Care About Black Lives

Now don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of therapists, and psychiatrists as well as other mental health professionals that are great and willing to work. However when you narrow it down to your insurance, location, and availability the list gets slimmer. It sometimes leaves you with no one at all, especially if you are looking for a black male therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. When people continue to run into brick walls when looking for treatment, they are not as willing to continue to search for it. Especially after getting answers repeatedly stating they cannot be seen for services due to XYZ and this is why I am speaking up!

1. Support is not a luxury in fact it’s necessary. Outside of mental health, we need a support system just to get through life. You may have a team or group of people in your circle but you have to ask yourself… are they supportive? Can you go to them when you are hit with the “hard stuff” in life? Are your thoughts or feelings minimized, and most importantly do you even feel heard? It’s imperative that we do because that support system, those loved ones you go to for advice can be the reason you make certain decisions. So be sure to have a solid support system because that my friend is what I think is missing.

2. Resouces are dire. There has to be a place where we can go and obtain resources. Especially if we are looking for a mental health professional or while we are in therapy. Our providers are not at our fingertips 24/7 and as some of you may know, therapy requires you to do the work. There’s no magic wand that shows up to the session to make your problems vanish. It takes dedication, just like anything else, however having resources like Helpful Living Magazine can give you the content you need to learn more about mental health. To read stories from people who have done the work, and are still going through the process. No one ever wants to feel alone, so it’s critical we continue to push out resources and make them available to people like you and me!

3. Instant Gratification. We all know that one person that wants to have instant success. You know the microwave method. When we are dealing with quick rich platforms we sometimes miss the mark. We work endlessly for the quick dollar not realize steady pace always wins. We also think likes is what gets us cash, which in all actuality it doesn’t. We can have 10k followers and only an eight is engaged in our content. Likes looks nice but its not a popularity contest. Lastly, we all may have heard this at one time or another but it’s not a race, rather a marathon. This also goes hand in hand with mental health. We have to do the work, be honest, and consistent with our feelings and how others make us feel. Be vocal when things bother you and be that student in the classroom that raises their hand when things don’t seem right.

So now that you know what’s missing what are you going to do about it? Take a moment to reflect on your life and see if you have any of the three things I listed above. If so, then tell me about it. I would love to hear from you. You can mention it below in the comments or you can click here and send me a quick email. I would love to communicate with you. You got this! I believe in you!

Chat soon! ~Jamie

Magazines Are Not Dead

Let me be the fist to tell you…magazines are not a thing of the past! Prior to creating Helpful Living Magazine I was in awe with how one issue provided valuable information. There are so many different magazines that caters to different needs. It’s hard to put everything in one magazine. I guess that’s why there’s so many!

Do you remember reading through Seventeen Magazine during your adolescent years? What about Ebony or Essence? They have flawless photos and relatable content that made me more knowledgable prior to engaging in their latest issue. Or how about the models or the clothes…wait do you remember the perfume or cologne section? I gravitated to those pages every time I open up a magazine.

One thing I realized is this…magazines are credible resources. If you are in a magazine, someone is paying attention to you. And that my friend is a reason to celebrate! Hence why I created Helpful Living Magazine. To celebrate those who work with the mental health population. They have been through a lot, even more so with the pandemic. Wouldn’t it be nice to provide a platform for the people who help us everyday, with our emotional and mental health? You know it’s true…I see you nodding your heads.

Magazines are…

Creditable: No one is going to write something about you just for kicks and giggles. You serve a purpose and as I mentioned above, it is something you should be recognized for. So kudos if you have ever written, been featured, or even did an advertising in the magazine. There were some eyes looking at you and you know what, you probably changed their life.

Fun: There’s so many magazines like I mentioned before, and that’s because there are billions of people living on this Earth. It would be daunting to the publishing companies if there were limited genres of magazines. That’s what makes it fun for readers. They can pick what they want, and some magazines have activities, recipes, and DIY things you can get involved in. It’s also something that is great to look forward to, especially if you like to do vision boards.

5 Useful Benefits of Magazine Advertising for Businesses: By Megha Shah

Provides Resources: Have you ever read a blog and forgot where it was? Or couldn’t put your finger on who the writer was? Well with magazines you have a lot less to look through. Let’s face it, the internet is a big place, having magazines narrow down your search and you can always have that favorite issue on your coffee table or night stand. There’s a lot of resources in one magazine, a personal story could be a resource, or a list of providers is a great directory for those who are looking for some kind of care or treatment.

Overall magazines are amazing and that’s why you see them everywhere. You may even have a few in your house, and if you read them I will assure you, there is something in there you can gain clarity on.

Let’s Chat…what’s your favorite magazine, or share an article you read that still is embedded in your head til’ this day.

Help Me Through The Holidays

There is something about the holidays. I don’t know if it’s being around family, the excitement of food, or anticipating memories that we create for ourselves and our children. However, it’s a good way to end the year, as we prepare for the upcoming one.

If you are reading this you are well aware of what the world has been through. COVID-19 made its way around the world by being aggressive in different countries. Some places are fortunate enough to not experience the volume of fatalities COVID-19 has caused. While others become leery and worrisome about how to conduct their day to day lives, especially the holidays.

Now here we are. Thanksgiving kicks off the rotation of many traditional holidays that comes to follow. Typically families will watch The Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, along with preparing for the dinner or others may be heading to the airport or making their way on the highways. It’s safe to say the holidays will be different this year. Some people are willing to accept that, while others are not.

Despite where the world is, we have a lot to be thankful for. If you are reading this, that’s number one…breathing. Parents have witness a new way of viewing their families. Virtual learning caused many parents to understand their children better and vice versa. With viewing the highs it’s common to think about the lows, especially if you are listening to the news or scrolling on social media.

Speaking of media, if you listen to the news (at least where I am at) I was informed these next couple of months may be rough. I don’t know if it’s because the numbers are spiking, the holidays, or both. However we have to prepare to stay cautious and respect those who are rigid with social distancing. Here are some things I think can help over the next couple of months.

• Make a list: write the pros and cons of what you have experienced over the last eight months.

• Be intentional about spending time with loves ones with safe distancing: virtual videos, calls, text etc.

• Spend time in nature: walk, open the window, embrace the fresh air

• Be a blessing: donate funds to local charity or donate clothes to a local shelter. Giving has a way of bringing joy into one’s life, making them feel good comes back in return.

• Uplifting music goes a long way: listening to upbeat, gospel, or even Christmas music has a way of creating holiday cheer.

How to Deal with Stress and Depression During the Holidays

No one is perfect, and we are not going to forget those who lives were cut short due to COVID-19. We never really think time has an expiration date until we are reminded when someone we love has passed on. There is no way anyone can tell you how to mourn or how long it should take. Just know people should respect your grieving and allow you to have the space you need. However, you are loved and we are praying and thinking of you this holiday season.

Take A Way: What do you do during the holiday season? Your traditions or suggestions may be helpful to our readers, including me!

Suicide Hurts

During this time of the year, we notice leaves changing, temperatures decreasing in some areas, and pumpkin spice lattes being the feature drink at a lot of coffee shops. I admire the fall, it reminds me that Earth goes through seasons just like we do, which may not look so desirable, but it is always necessary.

When the seasons change, it can alter a person’s mood. As the hot days diminish and cold nights take over our evenings, this can cause disappointment. Especially for someone who don’t like putting on coats, sweaters, and boots. Either way, seasons changing is good for us because it’s another way to reflect on what we have going on in our own lives.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and suicide awareness is something we all should think about. COVID-19 has given us the ability to isolate ourselves and become idle to familiar crowds. These moments are critical because our thoughts can take us to a dangerous place, which causes disruptions in our personal life. Our minds can make us believe things that are not true. For example, assuming no one is there for you and that no one cares. That is why self care is important and talking to individuals that value your life is mandatory. Support and awareness can change someone’s perspective overall.

Becoming aware is key. Being sensitive to someone who struggle with suicide is vital and every attempt, comment, or even thought needs to be taken seriously. Not all signs are noticeable but the best thing anyone can do is be attentive, listen, and educated themselves about suicide.

Suicide Statistics from ASFP

• According to AFSP suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States

• In 2018 over 48,000 people died by suicide

• Over one million suicide attempts were made in 2018

Be mindful of different behaviors and check on your friends especially during complicated times. People who “appear” to have it all together are the ones who suffer in silence. They are the ones who are helping so many people meanwhile no one is checking up on them and their wellbeing. When someone completes suicide it hurts so many people, families, friends, and even those who hear about it. Its devastating and causes people to wish they could have done more, or spent a little more time with the person that was successful at committing suicide. Let’s not wait until its too late to have those thoughts on what we could or should have done.

In reference to being a support for someone here are a few things you can do to help those who struggle with suicide.

• Be present: there are times when there is nothing that needs to be said. No words can make a situation better, however your presence speaks louder than words. There is no better feeling than having someone with you going through emotions you can’t explain.

• Listen: this is important. When people vent, or express their feelings they are not looking for answers. They are looking for a safe space to express themselves without criticism or solutions. When people talk it allows them to identify their feelings, therefore when you listen you’re doing just that…allowing them to process.

• Provide Help: ask someone how you can help them. However, when you ask this question don’t look for an immediate answer, and assure them that they don’t have to answer you right away. Their frustration or emotions may not be able to allocate what they want you to do at the moment. But, knowing they have your support helps and can make a world of a difference.

We may not have all the answers and that is okay. However, we can provide support to those we love. Know that understanding is key and when we take the time to learn and become educated on one’s issue, we can provide the support that others are looking for.

How Can We Restart?

August is a bittersweet month for me. I remember the year I graduated from college and August rolled around, I reminisced about packing my car and heading back to school. Over the years, this month reminded me of college for some reason, and now that I am a working adult I can’t help but to think about people going back to school.

August also reminds me of preparing for a “fresh start”. Classes are in session and new goals are on the horizon for the academic school year. In these moments, I reflect on what I was doing a few months back and how I can improve and finish this year off strong.

Now I know with COVID going on things are a little different, but the mindset is still there for me. And it can be there for you as well! We just have to be mindful of where we are mentally and cater to our self-care. When we take care of ourselves, we can navigate through life and become better for those around us. By learning that, I make myself a priority first thing in the morning. I go workout or take a walk. I prefer to do this around the 6AM hour because not too many people are out at this time. The universe is quiet and I can take a moment to appreciate the fresh air and admire nature. Taking an hour or two for myself each morning allows me to be centered with myself, and available for whatever the day may bring. My attitude is better, I drink more water, and most of all I am productive. This is how I reset myself from the night before.

It is a pivotal time for me to RESTART. I took some time to write out what I want to do for the next couple of months. This prepares me for how I want to continue to grow as we gear up for the fall season.

• Implement healthy eating

• Reading material I should engage in

• Toxic things I need to get rid of (ex: candy, food, people etc.)

• Journaling

• Connecting with readers

• Networking with people who have the same mindset

These are my personal goals that I took the time to think about as we are almost near the end of August. It’s vital to “check in” with our goals and figure out what we want our next steps to look like. If we don’t check in on ourselves, who will? The short term goals typically leads to bigger goals and before you know it, you will challenge yourself with unforeseen goals. I often day dream about the day I will stand in front of people to talk about Helpful Living Magazine, or walk in a grocery store or hospital and see the next issue on a magazine stand. I believe it’s possible and I am living like it is going to happen, because it is. However I have to put in the work, otherwise it will be just that…a dream.

I am big on manifestation and the energy we put out there in the world. So I often ask myself, “how can I restart”? What am I lacking currently that I want to gain in the next couple of months? Having these healthy conversations with yourself (or with an accountability partner) alters our way of thinking and provides us to search for the answers.

So I Challenge You

Think about how you want these next couple of months to go. What’s holding you back and how can you better yourself as we enter into the fall season? Tell us about it in the comments, let’s start the conversation on getting a head start. You will be surprise how planning can change your life.

Minority Mental Health Awareness

July starts off with the celebration of the 4th signifying America’s independence, however this year certain holidays we acknowledged in the past does not have much importance in the lives of Black Americans. I am glad we are becoming educated and standing up for our rights. Police brutality is still going on and racial injustice continues as if we are not fighting against it.

This year many people learned the importance of Juneteenth and many Black Americans signifies that day to celebrate our freedom. The 4th signifies America’s independence however slaves were treated as if they didn’t matter. As a Black American I would prefer to celebrate something that signifies my freedom and represents my culture because it shows respect to our ancestors, and pays tribute to labor and disrespect they have faced for hundreds of years.

On the topic of minority, it is relevant to know we still don’t receive adequate treatment as other Americans. Many people who struggle with mental health and live in urban areas are less likely to retrieve substantial treatment. They may be referred to over crowded clinics and have minor discussions with the attending psychiatrist due to the lack of time they are given. Good treatment goes a long way, and it is important for people to not feel like a number or looked at as dollar signs because of their mental illness.

It takes time, patience, and positivity to help someone who is struggling mentally. It can be draining and overwhelming for an extended period of time, however if we don’t stay supportive to our loved ones, who will?

It’s critical to speak up, to ask questions, and to demand good treatment. We should be given that right. We should know what medicines that are being prescribed to use, why they are being prescribed, and different alternatives that play in our favor. Not everyone is subjected to take medication and just the thought of it sounds intimidating. Often times people are given treatment and walk out the clinic not knowing the significance of taking medication or the responsibility of being consistent with treatment. Which can cause confusion and sometimes ambivalence when unexplained side effects occur. Also understanding the social environment we are in, can be critical to their mental health in reference to stability.

It’s time to educate and provide adequate resources for OUR people who are dealing with mental health issues. And when I mean adequate, I am referring to people who have the ability to help. Who have slots available for therapy sessions, and time to educate and provide tools one would need to have a successful mental health journey. We have to do better and not expect others outside our culture to do it for us. They have been dropping the ball for years and it’s common for them to help their “own” as opposed to someone outside of their “culture.” There are good practitioners, bad practitioners, and honest practitioners, how often do you think you will encounter someone that is honest about your mental health treatment?

Engage: do not be afraid to ask for CLARIFICATION. Be sure when you walk out of a session you have a clear understanding of the conversation you had with the practitioner. Also, have people advocate for you, if you have someone as an emergency contact, be sure it is someone who is serious about your mental health treatment. If you have to ask multiple questions and repeat what the practitioner said, do so. Do anything necessary to make sure you and your practitioner is on the same page.

Be Honest: there are times when you are in session you will be asked to do homework, be serious about doing it and be honest about how you felt about it. HONESTY IS ONE OF THE WAYS YOU WILL GET ACCURATE FEEDBACK! Sometimes we feel ashamed when we don’t do our homework. Be honest about that. If you had a rough week or you didn’t have a chance to get to it, tell your practitioner and that is something you two can talk about. Time management might be one of your struggles and you can use that time to discuss ways to navigate time in order to complete tasks.

Ask for Help: some of us feel as if we can accomplish everything without help. THIS IS NOT TRUE, we all need help or a little push at some point in our lives. Make sure you ask for additional support, like an accountability partner. Someone you can trust and be your authentic self with. It’s critical to have support in addition to a practitioner to help you on your mental health journey.

We live in a world where it is a sensitive time for Black Americans. We are in a dual pandemic with COVID-19, police brutality, and social injustice. It’s time we get the help that we need, from the people we need it from the most. Be sure to be unapologetic when it comes to your MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, it only helps prepare you for a better future.