“There is no health without mental health; mental health is too important to be left to the professionals alone, and mental health is everyone’s business.” – Vikram Patel May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Happy Mental Health Awareness! We all know that this month of Mental Health Awareness has fallen on a crucial time. ……
Posts Tagged with mental health awareness
Testing for COVID-19 – With Anxiety
“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” – Thich Nhat Hanh Per my last post regarding mental health care during the Corona, I thought I’d share this personal experience… I got tested for Covid-19 today finally, after a month of my ‘extreme’ lockdown. I will know results in 3-5 days. I have a strong feeling my symptoms…
The Coronavirus “Bright Side”: Ending Mental Health Stigma Once and For All
After long days in the library, transcribing research interviews and coding, I recall the heartwarming feeling, when I was gifted a smile from a random stranger. The rest of the evening would be surprisingly pleasant and peaceful….A seldom solace. I could wrap myself in the warmth of that smile in order to sleep at night,…
Why I “Walk to Fight Suicide”…
On Saturday, November 2nd, I participated in the AFSP 13th Annual DC Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention for the 5th consecutive year. By the time the event began, AFSP raised approximately $315,000 with the goal to reach $350,000 this year!The funds go towards research and advocacy, training, and community awareness among…
Why I Run the UNRWA DC GAZA 5K…Take 4…
Today I ran in the GAZA 5K in Washington, DC! It was a privilege to be participating my 4th consecutive year in the DC run. Similar to the previous years, it was a beautiful experience. There were about 500 runners that raised over $160,000 for this critical cause! The Gaza 5K raises funds for community…
Surviving and Conquering Hate: Reflections on Arjun Sethi’s “American Hate”
“Speaking out is the most basic and vital form of resistance.” – Arjun Singh Sethi I spent some time reflecting on Arjun Sethi’s “American Hate: Survivors Speak Out,” which was published over a month ago. I also had the opportunity to hear Arjun speak about his book at the Politics and Prose in Washington, DC,…
Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Academia
This topic warrants more time, research, and reflection, but I want to begin sharing my initial reflections here, due to some recent experiences. I’ve been baffled by the irony of mental health stigma in our communities. Especially in my locality for the past 9 years. Washington, DC has probably some of the most “depressed” or…
I will not cry…
I will cry, and that’s okay. I understand this is not your way… To hand me a tissue, when you see me on the train…. When a tear slides down my cheek, As my forehead hugs the window pane. But if I cry, I can promise you … My spirit will not die. It isn’t…