The Ultimate Guide to Mental Wealth
Mental Health Magazine
Tis SEASON to be JOLLY?
Sadia Khan
MENTAL ILLNNESS
2
MENTAL WELLNESS Dr. ROBERT A. JOHNSON
UK HEALTH RADIO HOST
MHCA|
MENTALHEALTH CHANGE AGENT
ANA’NEICIA WILLIAMS LCSW, PMH-C
THERAPY IS DOPE
SUBTANCE USE A BATTLE FOR GOD
Vanity Dawson
Could that Worry be GA?
AMANDA FLUDD LCSW-R
Trauma Therapist
Charita Brown Living in bipolar recovery for more than 25 years
PURGE to RESTORE Talona Smith
STEPHEN “tWitch” BOSS
What went wrong? TJ Woodard
VOL. 5 NUM.3 $11.99
ISSN 0268-965
9 7770268 968930
VOL. 5 NUM.3
OUR FIGHT “the strength comes from being tested by life’s unpredictability.” Matt Lauer “She is clothed in strength & dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
Our founder, Niki Powell Cottman’s fight began after her daughter, Kena’i Hollingsworth’s first attempt of suicide at the age of 13, then five other attempts that followed. She wants to change the trajectories leading to developmental challenges and early adversities that have led to youth and young adult suicide and substance abuse.
2
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
RALLY UP & SEE WHAT’S INSIDE 04 CONTRIBUTORS
26
CHARITA BROWN
GUEST CONTRIBUTORS
06 CEO
FOUNDER’S LETTER
08 FASHION
TIPS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS
10 PURGE & RESTORE TALONA SMITH
12 YOUTH ZONE ESA LIFE AS A TEEN
©️ Judith Krummeck/ Charita Cole Brown
18 MHCA
ANA’NEICIA WILLIAMS LCSW,PMH-C
22 THERAPY IS DOPE COULD THAT WORRY BE GA?
14STEPHEN “tWitch” BOSS
30 HEALTH & WELLNESS
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Oshēn Salmon
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
20 EXPRESSIVE ART CORNER I’M TIRED
24 FAITH & MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL ILLNESS TO MENTAL WELLNES
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3 3
Meet Our Guest Contributors
Vol. 5 Num. 3 Ana’Neicia Williams Ana’Neicia Williams is the founder of Momology Maternal Wellness Club. MMW Club supports mothers’ social and emotional care during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. As aLicensed Clinical Social Worker in Kentucky, Ana’Neicia is committed to holding moms as they heal their wombs in a safe and supportive space. She is certified by Postpartum Support International to assess and treat perinatal mood, anxiety disorders, and trauma associated with maternal mental health.
Dr. Robert A. Johnson, MA, LPC, LMHC-S, CCM, GCDF, DHA Specializes in the treatment of schizophrenia, depression, mood disorders, anxiety, adjustment disorders, PTSD, anger/stress management, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Christian counseling, couples/marital counseling, and family therapy. Contact Info: Email: robertjohnson665@aol.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-johnson-iii-dha-lpcgcdf-ccm-cssgb-64928013/
Kimberly Whitmon The CEO and Founder of Soul Strategies. As an Alignment coach, she helps women step into their most authentic and purpose-filled life by learning the inter and intra-personal skills needed to maintain inner peace, despite external chaos. As a certified happiness, emotional intelligence, and spirituality coach - as well as being a woman who navigates mental health herself, she brings a unique mix of theory and practicality, with a healthy dose of reality, to the women she serves.
Soul Strategies LLC Phone: 202.335.0889
Web: www.mysoulstrategies.com Email: kim@mysoulstrategies.com
Sadia Khan UK Health Radio Host Psychology teacher and BPS member Sadia Khan have turned to social media to reach a wider audience. She gives much-needed advice about mental health, well-being, and relationships. Sadia also hosts her radio show on UK Health Radio, as seen in Cosmopolitan Middle East and Health Triangle magazine. Here she will outline what to expect during the holiday season and how to overcome mental health concerns during this period.
RUM FEAUTURES Charita Brown Charita Cole Brown was diagnosed with a severe form of bipolar disorder while finishing her final semester as an English major at Wesleyan University. Doctors predicted she would never lead a “normal” life. Despite that pessimistic prognosis and because she sought treatment, Charita went on to marry, raise a family, earn a masters degree in teaching and enjoy a fulfilling career in education.
Contact Information:
Charita Cole Brown Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life, visit www.charitacolebrown.com
4
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
Contact Information: Instagram: @momologymwclub. Facebook: Momology Maternal Wellness Club Website: https://www.momologymwclub.com
EDITOR TEAM Founder/Editor Chief : Nikita Powell-Cottman : TJ Woodard Managing Editor Asst. Managing Editor : KeErica Brown : Paul Cottman & Vanity Dawson Associate Editor : Kena’l Hollingworth Fashion Editor : TJ Woodard Beauty Editor Youth Zone Editor : Lex Morgan : RJ Sterling Comic Illustrator Therapy’s Dope Editor: Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R : Yeny Ferreras Graphic Designer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lex Morgan TJ Woodard Vanity Dawson Talona Smith KeErica Brown Kendra Hathaway, MFT Torre “Tor” White SherVonne Grose, MFT Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R
YOUTH CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Nina Hollingworth Lisence & Copy Right
No portions of the publication can be transmitted, reproduced, or distributed in any form without contacting Founder/Editor-in-Chief Nikita PowellCottman. All articles have been reviewed and approved by Nikita Powell-Cottman and her editorial team.
This Magazine Published By: We Fight Foundation, Inc First Published, 2018
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
WE FIGHT FOUNDATION INC. ...
SUPPORTING FAMILIES IMPACTED
BY SUICIDE OR MENTAL ILLNESS
WFF
If you know of someone or a family that has been impacted by a loss of a loved one or caregiver to suicide or homelessness due to mental illness that can use some support. Go to www.wefightfouindation.org and nominate them. Click Community Support, then Family Support.
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3 5
FOUNDER’S
Thoughts
Happy Holidays Everyone! I pray this time of year is not hard for you and you are able to enjoy the real reason for the season. For some, the holidays and gathering with family bring them joy, but for others, this time of year stirs up unwanted feelings, and some family members are a trigger to those unwanted feelings. Navigating through those complicated emotions about family, relationships, and traditions is difficult. All of the above is a challenge to anyone’s mental health. If this is you, let’s start by giving yourself Grace during this holiday! What does giving yourself Grace mean? I am glad you asked:)
inner peace, recognizing that you are doing the best you can, accepting, honoring your limitations, and truly loving yourself! We want you to do more than survive this holiday season; we want you to thrive. If we are going to thrive through this season and not end in a deep depression, frustration or feeling burned out; we have to take good care of ourselves! This is why this holiday issue is filled with tips and tools to help you reduce those things that challenge your mental health and help you find joy this season! Enjoy! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Grace is an integral part of self-care that many forget to do. It reminds you that everything is OK. Grace may look different for everyone. Life has challenges; Grace prevents you from giving up. What Grace looks like for others may look different for you. Instead of being critical of yourself, Grace is choosing to be kind to yourself, striving for Founder/Editor in Chief
6
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3 7
STEPHEN “tWitch” BOSS By TJ Woodard
L
ike so many others, my heart broke at the news surrounding the death of the husband, dad, dancer, and actor affectionately known as “tWitch.” I have been following tWitch since his debut on the hit dance competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. The talent and joy he bought to the stage were like nothing I had ever seen. His unique dance style vividly expressed his passion for his Godgiven ability to dance his heart out while brightening the lives of others. Watching his life change before our eyes, news of this loss stunned the world. We followed him from his marriage to his wife and the birth of his children to his numerous television
and movie roles; we felt like we knew him. He became a fixture on the Ellen show until its expiration and was a celebrity judge on So You Think You Can Dance, which is where it all started. Days before, a holiday show on Disney+ aired with him and his wife as the hosts. They also celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary and danced happily on TikTok. So what went wrong? It seemed that Stephen had it all, but there was another story that no one knew. Like many who suffer in silence, he did an excellent job at hiding behind his smile while he suffered in silence.
“Looking at some of his pictures, you can see the sadness behind his eyes”
, often overlooked because a smile and “I’m ok” was all that was enough. There’s speculation surrounding why he decided to take his own life. Some say it was money-related. Others say there were problems at home. Although we search for answers trying to figure out what was going on with the 40-year-old entertainer, sadly enough, we may never know. Even a suicide note left behind may not tell the truth about the troubles, pressures, and demons the dancer may have been fighting while the world depended on him to make them 14 RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
feel good. Unfortunately, this story is more common than we’d like to admit. Life doesn’t always play fair. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, and want to give up. For a person with a mental illness, these times are more frequent and can be more debilitating. This news is another example of why normalizing mental health conversations and digging deeper into the “I’m ok” is so important. If you are a person who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. If you know someone who needs help, don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions and get them the help they need. If you are unsure if someone needs help, reach out and find out. We can all do a better job to ensure we don’t lose another life, celebrity, or suicide. Rest in Peace, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, and may your legacy continue to live on through the lives of your children and those you touched. Continue to keep the entire Boss family in prayer along with those who this loss and similar stories have impacted. RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
Positive Mental Health
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3 15
RUM: Do you have advice for college-aged readers experiencing a mental health challenge? CHARITA: Yes. Know that it is okay not to be okay. Acknowledge what you are going through and create a wellness plan. As my husband, Oscar, would say, “Plan your work and work your plan. Do not feel like you have to plow through by yourself.” I, personally, have never seen anyone get well alone. Some people benefit from a therapist’s expertise. Others need a friend who will listen without judgment as you externally process what you’re going through. RUM: What does self-care mean to you? What are three ways you practice self-care? CHARITA: Self-care is prioritizing your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. The Native American axiom calls these the four rooms. It says we should go in each room daily if only to air them out. Three ways I practice self-care: 28 RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
1
Setting healthy boundaries and adhering to them. “No” is a complete sentence.
2 3
Pause and breathe.
Feel my feelings fully. I recognize how I am feeling. Sit in the emotion. Then let it pass. I’ve learned that suppressing emotions is not good for my health. It negatively impacts each of my four rooms. Explain “Mental Health is Physical Health.” Our brains are a part of our bodies and should be acknowledged as such. Just as we would get a broken arm reset. We should prioritize a balanced mind. When we need a mental health tune-up, we should take advantage of resources to stabilize our mental and emotional health. This sometimes requires a mindset shift to accept that mental health is indeed physical health. Therefore, it should be our daily priority.
5
RUM: Any final words? CHARITA: Rather than needing a caregiver, I became an assisted living style care manager for both my parents as they aged in place in their own home. My father, Leonard E. Cole, passed away in December 2019. My siblings and I are blessed by our ninety-year-old mother, Anita H. Cole’s presence with us. I glorify GOD for the enjoyable, high-quality life I have in Him. As Galatians 2:20 declares: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of GOD who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
©️ Photo credit Omari Photo
Though I’d endured treatment, I had never accepted my bipolar diagnosis. Once I had accepted the diagnosis, I spent two and a half years with my therapist, processing and discarding anything in my psyche that might hinder my progress. Together, we created a wellness plan that I adopted and have continued to use successfully throughout my life. At the end of the process, I married my wonderful and anointed husband, Oscar William Brown, Jr. Together; we gave life to two beautiful daughters. Oscar passed away after two and a half years of marriage. I grieved but did not have a bipolar episode. My daughters have grown to be stable and kind women.
C
harita Cole Brown was diagnosed with a severe form of bipolar disorder while finishing her final semester as an English major at Wesleyan University. Doctors predicted she would never lead a “normal” life. Despite that pessimistic prognosis and because she sought treatment, Charita went on to marry, raise a family, earn a masters degree in teaching and enjoy a fulfilling career in education. Her powerful story is chronicled in her award-winning debut book, Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life (Curbside Splendor Publishing 2018). Bipolar disorder –formerly known as manic depression— is highly treatable. However, of the estimated 5.7 million Americans living with the disorder, over 50% won’t seek treatment. The fact that the US suicide rate for people who have bipolar disorder is 12 times higher than that of the general population is even more sobering. Charita Cole Brown earned a BA in English from Wesleyan University and an MAT in Early Childhood Education from Towson University in Maryland. A retired educator, she is now a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maryland Board of Directors and is also active in the local affiliate, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. Brown strives to cure mental healthcare stigma by sharing her story. She has given keynote presentations for the Morgan State University Psychology Department and the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Besides her active involvement in mental health education, she currently manages assisted living style care for her elderly mother and served on the Baltimore City Commission for Women.
To learn more about Charita Cole Brown and Defying the Verdict: My Bipolar Life, visit www.charitacolebrown.com
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
LOVE & MENTAL HEALTH
COPING DURING
The Holidays By TJ Woodward
The holiday season is upon us. For many, it is a festive and exciting time of the year. It is the time of year we look forward to with all the holiday decorating, shopping, and parties. For others, not so much. This season can bring sadness, anxiety, and depression. Days are shorter, nights are longer, and loneliness and grief can show up in uninviting ways. The holiday season can trigger emotions that may have been suppressed throughout the year. Seasonal depression is real; it can feel like someone hit the light switch off. We must be intentional in looking after our friends and loved ones during this time. This list can include those we haven’t talked to in a while, and our strong friends and family members are not exempt. If you are someone who struggles during this time, I would like to encourage you to reach out and connect. Help is available, and you do not have to suffer in silence or go through this season alone.
Reasons for Mental Health Challenges During the Holidays • Financial Concerns • Stress & Anxiety • Grief/Loss • Family/Relationships Trouble There are ways to cope and help others manage their mental health during the holiday season. Here are some suggestions.
celebrate with you. Being alone is not bad as long as you are in a good place.
1 | Prepare in Advance If this time of year is challenging for you or those around you, try putting some things in place that might help with coping. Planning a schedule of events or setting up therapy sessions might be an excellent place to start. Addressing any feelings of anxiety and triggers upfront might also be a good idea.
3 | It’s all about Balance The holidays can be a bit overwhelming with the demands of shopping for others, event invites, and the pressure of doing things you may not want to do. Some people tend to take on more to keep busy while attempting to avoid the holidays altogether. Balance is essential, especially during the holidays. Staying active is a great way to fight depression and anxiety during the holidays. However, taking time to rest is also wise. This time of rest is the reason why having balance works so well. Although things can become overwhelming, a healthy mix of activity and rest can help you cope.
2 | Connection is Key Stay connected. Depression and other mental health issues can increase with isolation. Reaching out to your friends and family might be a good idea if they do not contribute to your anxiety or stress. Consider getting out and attending an event or two and seeing how you feel. If you find you are more comfortable at home, maybe invite a few friends to
4 | Avoid Triggers We must limit access to anyone or anything that can trigger an emotional or mental setback. Again, this list can include family members and friends. Try to focus on good memories and things that bring you joy. Remember, this season is only temporary. Take a deep breath…you will get through this! These are a few tips on how to care for your
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM
mental health during the holiday season. Many of us experience mental health challenges during the holidays, which can be stressful.
Make this an enjoyable holiday season by focusing on the good things and the people you have around you.
TJ Woodard is a certified ICF Life & Business Coach. She is a devoted advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She is also an active duty service Airman, podcaster, mentor and 4x Amazon’s Bestselling author and has helped push many others into their purpose. For more information, visit www. tamikawoodard.com RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3 29
32 RALLY UP MAGAZINE VOL. 5 NUM.3
RALLYUPMAGAZINE.COM