July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July has been dubbed National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.  With more and more people, both famous and in our own communities, succumbing to various mental health conditions it is becoming more clear that we cannot take mental health conditions lightly. 

Today's stats say that one in four people have experienced a mental health condition, and those numbers are even higher for minority groups often due to lack of access to care, beliefs passed down about mental health from generation to generation, and other factors.  

Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, etc. are very serious and should be treated as such. The problem is that most of us do not know what mental health problems look like.  

Some of the symptoms include:

Excessive worrying or fear

Feeling excessively sad or low

Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning

Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria

Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger

Avoiding friends and social activities

Difficulties understanding or relating to other people

Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy

Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite

Changes in sex drive

Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)

Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)

Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs

Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)

Thinking about suicide 

For more info about mental health symptoms and where to get help: http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Know-the-Warning-Signs#sthash.3T7pH3J1.dpuf

I am not by any means saying that if you have one or more of these symptoms that you for sure have a mental health issue but, it is a red flag to go and seek help in getting a diagnosis.  Knowing is the first step to coming up with a plan and remedying whatever your situation may be.  

I say all of this from personal experience.  I have battled depression for some years now and it has been an uphill battle at times but, there is hope! I am a living example. I have written about some of my experiences here and there but, you can read some of my story here.  In addition to seeing a therapist in the past, I also supplement with Vitamin D (shown to help with mood/depression), try to exercise regularly and eat a diet chock full of fresh foods and veggies whenever possible.  Juicing and making smoothies are my go-to's!

If you or someone you know needs help, please do not ignore it.  You were created for a purpose and we need you here.  

Check out these resources for more info about mental health conditions and for tips on where to get help:

http://www.nami.org/nmmham
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help 

Do you or someone you know live with a mental health condition? What do you do to manage your symptoms?

RIP Titi Branch

I scrolled through my Twitter and Facebook feeds yesterday on my lunch break and I could not believe what I was seeing.  Rest in Peace to the beautiful Titi Branch, 1/2 of the sister duo who founded the very popular natural hair care line, Miss Jessie's. It truly saddens me that she reportedly passed from an apparent suicide.

 People often think that beautiful, seemingly put together, successful people would be immune to things like this but, the reality is mental health issues are REAL.  It is past time that we become more educated about mental illness.  I think a lot of us still do not know what depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. looks like.  We do not know the symptoms and once diagnosed we do not know how to deal with it (hence the denial oftentimes).  Those around individuals with mental health issues do not how to help that person either and sadly most of us do not understand the seriousness of it.

 I have battled with depression and still have bouts with it at times.  It was not until recently (like a few weeks ago) that I decided to look into getting help in the form of a therapist after others started bringing it to my attention.  I am a VERY private and reserved person. I do not cry easily in front of people or tell people everything that is going on with me so, my thoughts and emotions really threaten to get the best of me sometimes (You know that lump-in your- throat, I-just-want-to-get-in-my-car-and-run-away-type-of-feeling).

I have had some extremely dark days in the past few months.  I mean seriously dark.  Talking to those close to me is still hard because I do not feel like anyone understands what I'm going through.  It is the scariest feeling to be so down and feel as though there is nowhere to turn and that the set of current circumstances will never change.

I realized that this is not normal.  Everyone has bad days but, my bad days were starting to get so bad that I did not want go to work.  I did not want to live.  I wondered what my purpose for living was. I was crying for no reason and would always be angry. I still incorporate my natural methods- working out, prayer, writing, upping my vitamin D intake and doing yoga from time to time but, I now see that I need more.  And it's okay.

For a long time I was struggling with the idea of going to a therapist because I thought I just needed to pray and everything would be alright.  I am still a firm believer in prayer but, God also put resources here to help us if we would only reach out.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, please get help.  Talk to someone, check on someone, go out and take a walk.  Say no to a few things and people, and take time out for YOU.  You deserve to feel good about yourself and life in general. Too many are losing this battle.

Myleik, the CEO of Curlbox, recently did a podcast sharing her experiences with depression and therapy.  She discusses why she started seeking therapy and gives tips for those who are struggling with depression. love her podcasts and this one was right on time for me.  Listen here.

God can use this tragedy for good.  May her legacy live on and may this incident save someone else's life.

Sexual Abuse: It Is Not Ok, You Are Not Alone

Amidst the Bill Cosby sexual abuse scandal, I felt like this would be a good time to talk about something that is too often 'brushed under the rug'.  Like many other "80's babies",  I grew up watching the Cosby Show and admiring Bill Cosby's humor and family values on-screen.   The Cosby Show was one of those real classic family shows that depicted Black families in a good light.  The entire family could watch it without fear of the kids seeing sex scenes or violence.  It was just wholesome television.  Needless to say, this whole thing is very difficult for me to understand.

I will say that it is not my place to decide if he really did abuse these women or not but, I do believe that where there is smoke there is usually fire.  If this is all true, at the very least, these women deserve to be heard.  Too many victims of sexual abuse go around holding onto the pain and shame that comes along with suffering in silence.

In such a sexually charged society, it is strange to me that there is such difficulty in discussing sexual abuse and what can be done to help victims and prevent new ones. On the radio, music lyrics give graphic details of one night stands and while watching television you can now see more skin and hear more sexual innuendos than intended yet, talking about rape and molestation still makes most uncomfortable.

I have not been the victim of sexual abuse but, I am saddened by the seemingly "normalcy" of it all now.  I read, listen to, and hear about so many women and men who have be molested and/or raped in their lifetimes that it's unreal.   I can not imagine being victimized like that and then having to go on and live your life as if nothing happened, as so many attempt to do everyday.  These victims grow up, have children and oftentimes, they end up being victimized too.

Sexual abuse has plagued too many generations.  It is past time that we talk openly about sexual abuse with each other, lawmakers and most importantly our children.

One of my fave Youtubers, JazJackson shares a little bit about her story.

If you have experienced sexual abuse in the past or currently, know that you deserve to be heard and respected! Do not continue to let someone make you a victim and prevent you from living free from the guilt and shame.  You were created for so much more!

Talk to a friend or family member you can trust about what is going on.  If there is no such person in your life, there are resources you can turn to,  Call 1-800-656-HOPE to speak with someone today.  You deserve to be heard.

Websites dedicated to helping sexual abuse victims and identifying sexual abuse:

• RAINN
• Love Is Respect.  

World AIDS Day- December 1st

Well, hello December! It's my birthday month (woohoo!) , it is the holiday season and the close of another year.  December 1st is also World AIDS Day.

I can't stress enough how important it is to know your status.  There are many places where you can go to have FREE testing done.

Don't know where to go?  Click on  http://www.freehivtest.net/ to find testing sites in your area.

For more information about HIV/AIDS risk factors and more go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/hiv-testing/hiv-test-locations/


Knowledge is power.  Turning a blind eye to this disease is not what will stop the spread of it. Get tested today!

More Love, Less Hate #PrayforFerguson

With everything going on in the world, let's try really hard to remember that it's okay to be angry but never hateful.  

source

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This weekend was one of the most trying times for me personally and seeing what is going on in Ferguson and around the world even further breaks my heart. I'm still battling this dreadful flu (all by my lonesome) but, I was impressed to say a little something about hate, revenge, hurt....all of those emotions that we deal with from time to time that can prove volatile if not controlled.

Lord knows I have felt betrayed and straight up done wrong in my life! I have literally wanted to throw a few red bricks threw some windows but, I'm so glad I refrained.

It's easy to want to seek revenge against those who we feel have wronged us but, we have to remember that God always has the final say even when we don't see how things will work out for our good. 

"I've had troubles and disappointments

There are times I felt so alone 

Some of my friends they let me down 

But I still believe it's turning around for me"

-"Turning Around" by Vashawn Mitchell

#PrayforFerguson

The Death of Yusuf Neville: Putting the Spotlight on Mental Health

Source: Instagram

Yusuf Neville. A young man laid to rest today. A name I did not know until I saw it all over social media a few days ago.

He had a dream job at a Fortune 500 company, was a  Hampton University grad, someone's fiancee, a son, and had touched the lives of many celebrities, friends and family. Terrence Jenkins, E! News host and Rocsi Diaz, Entertainment Tonight host, were among the numerous celebs tweeting about the tragic passing of Neville.

Rest in peace Yusuf. My heart is so heavy. You mean so much to all of us. I can't even articulate right now. #weallwegot
— Terrence J (@TerrenceJ) January 30, 2014

Even with all of the success, celebrity circles, and loved ones around him, Yusuf was suffering in a way that no one even knew. Last week, this young man took his own life by jumping off of a parking deck in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Just hours before taking his life, Yusuf tweeted this:

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
— Yusuf (@YusufNC) January 29, 2014

Suicide and mental health issues are taboo topics, especially in the African American community.  When we hear of yet another victim , we post a few lines of sympathy and then go back to our lives not realizing that there is a deeper issue at hand that is not getting better with time.

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions are no respecter of economic status, background or age.  It seems like every other week a celebrity has fallen victim to this epidemic. This has hit home for me too as I have seen people in my own circle lose the fight to chronic depression. I have also battled suicidal thoughts and depression in my own life. I have been through various events in my life that I allowed to take me to a place so dark I couldn't see up.  It is a daily battle but, through exercise, natural remedies, therapy, and developing my spiritual life I am in a much better place mentally.

How many more people will take their own lives before we as a society begin to take mental health issues seriously? 

Reach out to friends and family whenever possible, you never know how a kind gesture or a few words of encouragement could change someone's outlook on life.  If you are suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, do not be embarrassed to seek help from a therapist, counselor, or minister, and let even one trusted individual in your life know what you're going through.

I know how it feels when  life is almost unbearable and it physically hurts to get up and deal with day-to-day issues but, know that things always get better.  Your life, complete with the trials and disappointments, has a purpose. This too shall pass....

Check Your Tatas!

As most of us know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I personally know women very dear to me who are breast cancer survivors and others who have lost the fight to this terrible disease.  This has made me want to become much more aware of the risk factors and symptoms associated with breast cancer.

I'm rockin' pink nails this week (Pinking of You by OPI) in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month

I am still a few short years from being 40 but, I know that it is never too early to start doing self-checks and educating myself on how to reduce my risk.  I came across these helpful charts that show you what to look for and how to correctly perform a breast self-exam.

How to do a self breast check:

 via source

Signs/symptoms that something may be wrong:

via source

Resources to get education about breast cancer,  to donate to breast cancer research, and more:

• Susan G. Komen
• American Cancer Society

Don't forget to check your tatas every month and tell the women in your life to do the same.  It could save a life!

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and it should serve as a reminder to all of us ladies to get an annual pelvic exam and pap smear. Though often dreaded, these tests can help save your life, as early detection is key to survival.  According to Ovarian Cancer Awarness.org, ovarian cancer affects about  22,000 women each year. The signs and symptoms can be very subtle which makes the deadly disease hard to diagnose. According to research studies done, these are the main symptoms of ovarian cancer:

•Bloating

•Pelvic or Abdominal pain

•Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

•Urinary urgency or frequency

Other symptoms may include:

•Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea

•Extreme fatigue

•Shortness of breath

•Backaches
 
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, please inform your physician.  If you feel that something may be wrong, be adamant about your doctor performing other tests to rule out ovarian cancer.  Ladies, take charge of your body and your health. At the end of the day, it is all you have!