Public Relations and Event Manager & Founder of Milan 360 Strategies
This week, we sat down and interviewed our Mental Health Mentor Jasmine Milan. As a woman of color in the media and entertainment industry, she walked us through some of the challenges she faces in her profession.
Tell me about your mental health and self-care journey.
When asked about her self-care journey, Jasmine mentioned that in November she had experienced the death of multiple friends that were close to her. Unable to understand how this emotional tragedy was affecting her body, she began to experience physical symptoms of her grief and had her first-ever anxiety attack. This then triggered a series of anxiety attacks, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity, and even pneumothorax.
Her shocking diagnosis of pneumothorax, frequently diagnosed to stab or gun wound victims, left her in and out of the hospital and even unable to eat. She then knew it was time to seek help and start her self-care journey. Jasmine told us that her journey has consisted of her prioritizing her thoughts and re-iterating positive self-talk when negative thoughts arise. She noted the insecurities she’s faced as a black woman and the pressures of society for black women to be superwomen as a contributing factor to her stress and anxiety.
What is it like being a black woman in the media struggling with mental health issues?
When asked about her experience as a black woman in media she stated that the media doesn’t always do a great job of portraying the black story. “There’s a lot of pressure on black publicists. We aren’t allowed to make mistakes”, says Jasmine. She specifically spoke about the trend of celebrities using their platforms to speak up against racial injustice following the Black Lives Matter Movement in June 2020. During this time, she turned down several “clean-up” jobs from clients that had said negative racial statements in the past. She spoke on how black professionals in media have extra pressure from a morality and character standpoint that their white counterparts do not have to experience.
Do you feel adequate support with expressing your mental health issues?
When asked if she felt like she had support with expressing her mental health issues, she said no. She stated that there wasn’t enough acknowledgment for mental health issues and how there’s never been a space and time where POC have been allowed to feel. She said as a woman in media she feels robotized and like she can’t have bad days. She re-iterated that having emotional intelligence and self-awareness puts you ahead of the pack. She thinks that if more people honored their emotions and dealt with their trigger points and trauma it would benefit them more.
What tips do you have for women of color experiencing mental health issues?
Jasmine said her #1 tip she has for WOC experiencing mental health issues is to take time off. She stated that taking time off and being connected with a sense of self should be people’s #1 priority. “Our generation wants everything now. Nobody is honoring God’s timing”, she states. She also suggested to not get caught up in what everybody else is doing and stay true to your authentic self.
Find out more about Jasmine Milan by following her on her Instagram, @jasminemilan.
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University of California, Los Angeles
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we sat down and interviewed our Mental Health Mentor Isabelle Lanser. As a woman of color in the mental health industry, she walked us through some of the challenges she faces in her profession.
About Isabelle
Isabelle Lanser is a first-generation Haitian/Swedish-American who grew up on the East Coast. She received her B.A. in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is now pursuing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at UCLA.
During her undergraduate studies, her research focused on helping people who have experienced serious mental health episodes reintegrate into their lives after hospitalization. In graduate school, her primary research area is in understanding loneliness, social connection, and building community care services to respond to mental health crises. Additionally, Isabelle is interested in making emergency responses to mental health crises more equitable.
As a clinician, Isabelle enjoys working with young adults navigating depression and anxiety.
What has your experience been as a woman of color in the mental health field?
Isabelle: “It’s an interesting time to be entering this profession. Communities of color have long been denied access to mental health services, and in the last decade there has been a push to expand access to care, but there is still a lack of representation on the provider level. It feels like we’re in the middle of a generational shift, and as a provider in training, it often feels like I’m straddling a generational divide.”
How are BIPOC individuals affected by mental health disparities?
I: “There has been improvement in access to care for BIPOC and people with marginalized identities. However, a significant challenge is the interconnectedness of the mental health system and the justice system. When someone experiences a mental health crisis, police respond the majority of the time, which disproportionately places BIPOC and people with marginalized identities at risk for compounded trauma. Experiences like this can also serve as a deterrent for people seeking help.”
Do you feel there is adequate representation in the mental health field?
I: “The mental health field has a long way to go in terms of diversifying providers, especially among providers at the doctoral level. Around 80% of the psychology workforce is white, so clinicians of color are working overtime to close this gap. I think social media has been a great resource for BIPOC and those with other marginalized identities to find providers and resources that match their needs. Communities like @therapyforblackgirls is a great example of this.”
What’s one thing you would say you would improve about the field?
I: “I think it’s critical that we as a field develop and fund alternatives to involuntary and coercive care (e.g., involuntary hospitalization). For example, if there were more same-day crisis centers outside of hospital settings, people would be more receptive to receiving care. We need to provide a space where people can regroup and consult with a licensed professional without the risk of involuntary commitment. I hope that my work will help push our field in this direction.”
]]>Delve deeper in the process:
Physical: Physical wellness defines healthy behaviors including proper exercise, proper nutrition, and abstaining from harmful habits such as drug use. It also encompasses physical activity which releases endorphins to make us happy. Being physically active does a lot more for your mental and emotional state than you think. This is why all of the 7 dimensions are connected.
Emotional: Emotions, emotions. They take us on a ride from sadness to anger, from bitterness to happiness. Emotional wellness is usually defined as having the ability to express all ranges of emotions and then having the ability to properly analyze them. Being emotionally well is to feel and express human emotions, such as happiness, sadness, and self-acceptance. Mastery and control of your emotions is the ultimate goal.
Intellectual: People who possess a high level of intellectual wellness have an active mind and continue to learn. The mind needs to be constantly stimulated or it gets stagnant and uninspired. Keeping our minds aroused allows us to continue to learn and grow within our wellness journey.
Social: Humans are social creatures at the core. Our social interactions shape who we are and how people view us daily. Learning good communication skills, developing intimacy with others, and creating a support network of friends and family are all ways to help us socially. Also, contributing to your community and giving back are fulfilling ways to be socially active.
Spiritual: Meaning, purpose, and faith are all at the root of spiritual wellness. It’s that feeling inside of you that knows there is a higher power. Spending time alone, meditating, listening to your spirit, and living by your principles will allow you to operate on a higher vibration spiritually. Seeking your purpose and living in it will allow you to grow spiritually indefinitely.
Environmental: Environmental wellness is rooted in your respect for mother nature. God created the heavens and the earth and respect for her is essential. Recycling, conserving water, and minimizing chemical waste are all ways you can nourish your emotional wellness.
Occupational: Last but not least is occupational wellness. Using your gifts, skills, and talents to gain purpose attributes to satisfaction in this area. Having satisfaction and fulfillment in your work shouldn’t be a luxury or pipe dream. The goal is to have an occupation where work doesn’t have to feel like work.
Continual growth in all 7 dimensions will groom you into finding true purpose in your life.
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