Silent Symptoms: Black Mental Health Podcast

On this episode, I was inspired by my recent trip to the Dominican Republic and the media coverage. At the beginning of the year, the American media went public about American people dying allegedly because of the alcohol but there was never a formal investigation done. When I decided to go the DR, people were outraged and concerned about me potentially going into a death trap. I was not worried because I had done my research about the DR and the tourism. Do you know that the DR has one of the lowest death rates in tourism? The point I willing be making is that, of times, we let the news and social media affect us mentally before doing any research. We repost articles without verification and we internalize unnecessary fear. I dive into why we shouldn't let the media dictate how we live. Take a listen! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, I talk about the misconceptions of black people and therapy. This episode was a heart to heart to the black community about therapy. I discuss how resilient we are as a community which can cause failure to thrive because we feel as though we have it all figured out. We go to the doctor when we are physically sick, why can't we got to a therapist when we're mental and spiritually in demise? This platform was created to make us aware that therapy does not mean failure. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, I discuss how to resolve childhood trauma effectively. Although there are complex issues that are involved in how trauma is inflicted, it begins with a choice. Sometimes the hardest part is making the conscious choice to heal. In order for the healing to take place, one must acknowledge that there are issues that stem from childhood. Take a listen! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode I have Keshia Reaves. She a Licensed Practical Counselor and she specializes in Maternal Mental Health. We talked about maternal health in the black community and what that looks like. Black women are four times likely to experience pregnancy related death than white women. This may be alarming for some but this is a reality that black women and that's why we also discussed the importance of self advocacy. The conversation had a lot of variations like post partum depression and her brand, Push Thru for the mama. @pushthrubox. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

In this episode I discuss the importance of sisterhood. Sisterhood is extremely important because we all need someone to lean on whether it's family or friends. We need to encourage one another and hold each other accountable in every aspect. We are conditioned to compete with each other but we have to know that there's room for ALL of us, we can all win. It takes a village and that village is a sisterhood. Take a listen to hear the in depth analysis of being sisters! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, I discuss colorism again because of a YouTube clip that went viral on Facebook. A popular YouTube couple shared the birth of their daughter but the main focus was how "dark she is going to be" and the disappointment of not having "pretty eyes" by mother and father. Often times, parents project colorism on their children which sets the standard of how their children will perceive themselves as adults. Although the couple reports they aren't colorist, evidence says otherwise. "If a child is born with dark skin and learns that dark skin is not valued by her peers, community, or society, she may develop feelings of shame. This is especially true if the child is unaware of colorism’s historical roots and lacks friends and family members who shun skin color bias. Without an understanding of racism and classism, it’s difficult for a child to understand that no one’s skin color is innately good or bad." Nittle, Nadra Kareem. (2019, March 3). Why the Effects of Colorism Are So Damaging. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, I discuss the adverse effects mother's day can have when on some families. Mother's day has been idolized in our society and has failed to acknowledge the mother's and daughters that hurt. This is usually a joyous time for some families that want to celebrate mothers and mother figures to show their appreciation. I discuss reasons why Mother's day may be difficult and how to provide support to those who hurt. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode I discuss the importance of allowing children to have a voice.  Children are often told to be seen and not heard and their voices are invalidated. They are only allowed to speak when we give them the platform and that can potentially diminish their ability to communicate effectively. Children have to feel empowered in order for them to learn how to properly communicate and self advocate. Teaching children to have informed opinions can be helpful in their self actualization and need to allow children the freedom to express their personal perspective. Children need to learn how to share an opinion not only with what they say but how they say it. This all begins in the home. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode I discuss the effects of social media on mental health. The number of social media platforms used and how often they are used is related to mental health. A recent study found that the more social media platforms an individual uses, the more likely they are to have symptoms of depression and anxiety, regardless of overall time spent on social media. Social media does have benefits, enabling people to enhance their communication skills and social connections. Social media sites and apps allow individuals to make new friends, exchange ideas and pictures, develop new interests, or build business brands. Limitations on how to use social media and the amount of time spent may reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and self esteem. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, I have Dr. Davis @kuhltuhveyting_kantshes_kors @thecalleddr_d and we discuss: What Happens in Our Home Stays in Our Home: Caribbean/Black Households & the Trauma Within Them. This interview was enlightening and refreshing as we discuss the most common factor in the black community, keeping everything within the household to protect the family dynamic. Although this may be widely practiced, there are traumas associated within keeping quiet about traumatic events within the homes. We talk about the difference between healthy sharing and unhealthy sharing, trauma caused by silencing family members, and how to break the vicious cycle of this rule. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

In the episode I discuss the community violence in the black community and the affects it has on our mental health. I elaborated the effect that Nipsey Hussle's death had on the black community and why it cut so deep. This man was influential and a gem. Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was an African American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, and community activist from Los Angeles, California. A man that embodied what the black community should be by investing in real estate, focusing on ownership, how to circulate the black dollar, bringing awareness to the culture, and giving back to our communities. What an honor to exist in his time and grateful to him for showing that the outer body doesn't always represent the inner. We have to value those who bring VALUE to our lives. There is room for all of us, we should not allow jealousy and envy to cloud our judgment which leads to violence. Let's keep his legacy moving by sharing our knowledge with others and support one another. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

In this episode I discuss 5 toxic traits and how to deal with people who are toxic and if we are toxic, how to get help. I know we've all dealt with individuals in our lives and didn't know how to recognize the signs and were confused about where to begin. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‐--‐---------------‐‐---------------------------- CONNECT WITH ME -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‐--‐---------------‐‐---------------------------- Instagram: @silentsymptomspodcast http://www.instagram.com/silentsymptomspodcast Facebook: Silentsymptomspodcast PURCHASE MERCHANDISE: https://teespring.com/stores/melanated-and-mindful-merch Video and Edits: Lesly O'Connor https://www.leslyanno.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

In this episode, I discuss the importance of being alone and finding serenity it. We live in an era of relationship goals and taking time to self reflect and to do things alone isn't talked about enough. In order to be in a relationship, we have to seek validation within ourselves and that's done by embracing singleness. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‐--‐---------------‐‐---------------------------- CONNECT WITH ME -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‐--‐---------------‐‐---------------------------- Instagram: @silentsymptomspodcast http://www.instagram.com/silentsymptomspodcast Facebook: Silentsymptomspodcast PURCHASE MERCHANDISE: https://teespring.com/stores/melanated-and-mindful-merch Video and Edits: Lesly O'Connor https://www.leslyanno.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

This episode highlights knowing your worth and not settling for less in relationships and friendships. The primary focus is to us to take care of ourselves first then give ourselves to others. If our cup is empty, we can't give anything to others and it's vital that we're full. I also talk about letting go of toxic relationships and mastering loving ourselves. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support

On this episode, Tameika Cheek, and I highlight what it means to be a millennial therapist and the importance of self care. We go as far as sharing self care tips for therapists and clients so we can live a fulfilling life so we can prevent burnouts. We live in a millennial time and we are sharing what it looks like to go against the grain and being innovative in our respective fields. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/SilentSymptomsPodcast/support