October was Emotional Wellness Month and it was a time to take stock of the stressors in our lives and how to triumphantly overcome them. As such, many are juggling the competing priorities in our normal everyday lives on top of the current climate of the country.
This year has produced an array of emotions from the social issues, ongoing pandemic, racial tension, loss, politics and even more that we’ve faced. Emotions are rampant and can rule our lives. In fact, studies show that up to 90 percent of the decisions we make are based on emotion.
Coincidentally, the opposite applies to me. I remember feeling numb. I pushed all my grief to the side because I didn’t want to deal with it. I just wanted to make it through. Even though my grief was not due to societal despair, it was something just as great, the loss of my mother.
Unlike many hurt Americans who’ve shown their emotions via social media, I did not deal with my emotions at all. Bouts of overwhelm and suicidal thoughts snowballed into a suicide attempt, resulting in a five-day stay at a psychiatric hospital.
Afterwards, I took the brave step of attending weekly therapy sessions, but had trouble really connecting with my therapist because I did not feel understood as an African-American woman.
I started to take back control by getting my degree in family studies to make an impact on others who felt the same way as I did. I created my own therapy practice where I was reminded that I still needed to go back to therapy as I saw myself within the people she was counseling.
This led to me creating another solution due to the substantial need I saw for therapists of color. Therapy In Color was launched as an online mental health directory for minorities to easily find therapists sensitive to their cultural needs.
I know all too well that the results of not taking care of your emotional wellness can be
paramount. I recommend four practical ways to embrace your emotional wellness today:
If you don’t deal with your emotions, it can create the illusion that they are no longer there. Oftentimes, we begin to mask these emotions with other things that are not healthy such as maladaptive behaviors like addictions, overeating or drinking in excess. Give a name to the emotions you are feeling and allow yourself to experience those emotions.
One great way to discover the root cause of your stress is by journaling. Sometimes we can have emotions we experience that we can’t quite put our finger on. When we journal, it has the ability to allow us to identify some of those triggers.
It’s important to seek counseling with the right therapist for you. Find someone who has some shared experience and an understanding of unique cultural values that you bring to the table. This will allow you to be in an environment where you feel comfortable and open to share your thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes we take on too many tasks and responsibilities. We need to stop and ask ourselves, “Is this something I can delegate or give to someone else?”
We all do this. Whether it’s overextending ourselves to family members and friends or to our jobs, we can all benefit from not committing to more than we can actually take on.
Resources like Therapy In Color help minorities have access to mental health therapy by someone who promotes authenticity and cultural diversity.
It’s a mental health directory and a community of healers dedicated to removing the stigma associated with seeing a therapist. Visit www.therapyincolor.org to see what mental health providers are in your area.
About Ashley Bryant, LPC
Ashley Bryant is a Psychotherapist who works with individuals and couples encountering mental health challenges. Ashley specializes in helping those who are wanting to find themselves after experiencing trauma. Her expertise has been featured nationally on TLC’s My 600-lb Life, US Weekly, Life & Style Magazine, InTouch Weekly, Daily Mail, PBS, Good Day DC and more.
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