#noshamenostigma

“It took me a lot of depression having a lot of anxiety to realize something was off. I've been getting myself together, getting my mind right. So I have been taking better care of myself and...not only am I bringing my best self to the music but I'm bringing my best self to the table, to my city, to my fans, to the people who are about me." @bigsean ✨ Sometimes it takes a depressive episode for us to take a minute to listen to what our bodies are telling us and make the change necessary live healthier lives. Thanks @bigsean for being honest about your struggles, opening the door for more black men to do the same. #noshamenostigma

We celebrate Memorial Day to honor the US Armed Forces who died in service for our country. Keep those who died, their families and their fellow vets in mind, today and always. Active respect for our troops does not mean standing for the national anthem, it means acknowledging the mental health and substance abuse issues that vets and military families face at a disproportionate rate, housing the 136k vets that face homelessness every year, and make the VA a place where vets can reliably get adequate care, giving them the tools they need to successfully reintegrate to civilian society and supporting them and their families while they do so. #mdw Stats from SAMHSA.org ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ #theellery #mentalhealthmonth #blackmentalhealthmatters #blackgirlswhoblog #stressawarenessmonth #blackpsychology #gradschool #blacademics #ivyleague #blackwellnessbloggers #research #clinicalpsychology #phddreams #therapyisnotadirtyword #blackmentalhealthadvocate #therapyforblackgirls #noshamenostigma #homelessness #militaryservice #veterans #VA #substanceabuse #homelessvets #memorialday #respectourtroops (at United States of America)

| Bystander Effect / Apathy|   This is  when abuse or an assault is happening in public, but no one does anything. We tell ourselves “it’s not my business,” or “someone else will speak up”. I’ve done it myself, because, I’m tiny, who am I going to protect? But when we’re in danger, won’t we want someone to speak up for us? When I was being cornered and  threatened by a drunk and violent man three times my size, an Alpha (maybe named Mika?) became a barrier, created space, and stopped everything from escalating further. So I challenge you: next time you see bad shit going down, DO something! Like: calling out the behavior from a safe distance, spilling a drink, separating the two parties (bathroom buddies anyone?) You, alone, are so powerful. Own that. #metoo ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ #theellery #mentalhealthmonth #blackmentalhealthmatters #blackgirlswhoblog #stressawarenessmonth #blackpsychology #gradschool #blacademics #ivyleague #blackwellnessbloggers #research #clinicalpsychology #phddreams #studying #sexualassault #therapyisnotadirtyword #blackmentalhealthadvocate #therapyforblackgirls #noshamenostigma #yogaeverydamnday #bystanderapathy #bystandereffect #diffusionofresponsibility (at Harlem)

| Boundaries | @kimkardashion was a guest on the real a couple months ago on @therealdaytime A fan went to hug Kim and @comiclonilove blocked her until Kim said it was okay. So many people had *opinions* on this small instance but not once did I see any acknowledgement that Kim K has a right to have her boundaries respected. While a hug may seem harmless to some, the implications can be far greater. Yes Kim is a celebrity and YES she makes a fortune being accessible to fans but she is essentially a stranger to most people. Would you go to hug a stranger on the street without asking first? How would you react if a stranger on the street hugged you without asking? Everyone deserves to have their boundaries- physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and spiritual-  respected. Celebs, they’re just like us #ifwehadlouisvuittongarbagecans Danielle Duval: #selfcareeverydamnday #youdeserverespect #personalboundaries ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ #theellery #mentalhealthmonth #blackmentalhealthmatters #blackgirlswhoblog #stressawarenessmonth #blackpsychology #gradschool #blacademics #ivyleague #blackwellnessbloggers #research #clinicalpsychology #phddreams #studying #sexualassault #therapyisnotadirtyword #blackmentalhealthadvocate #therapyforblackgirls #noshamenostigma #yogaeverydamnday #selfcareeveryday #selfcareeverydamnday #youdeserverespect #personalboundaries #personalspace (at New York, New York)

Have you ever heard of schizoaffective disorder? It’s a mental illness characterized by symptoms of schizophrenia like delusions and hallucinations AND symptoms of a mild disorder like mania and depression. It is commonly misdiagnosed & seen in .3% of the population and is treated with meds and therapy. Mental illness goes so far beyond anxiety and depression and #themoreyouknow the more we can #fightthestigma and break down the barriers to care 🕊 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ #theellery #mentalhealthmonth #blackmentalhealthmatters #blackgirlswhoblog #stressawarenessmonth #blackpsychology #gradschool #blacademics #ivyleague #blackwellnessbloggers #research #clinicalpsychology #phddreams #studying #college #therapyisnotadirtyword #blackmentalhealthadvocate #therapyforblackgirls #noshamenostigma #schizoaffectivedisorder #misdiagnosis (at Columbia University)