Mental Health Awareness
I launched a mental health awareness clothing brand. It actually launched today and can be located at www.mentalessentials.store. Mental Essentials the name actually came to me shortly after I opened my own private practice. I actually considered changing my name but decided against it because I had already got credentialed with insurances under the name and did not want additional confusion early in the business. So I jotted the name down and toyed with the idea for a little over a year. I contemplated between a mental health awareness clothing brand and a podcast. The podcast is not entirely out at the moment but I’m already stretched so thin as it is managing social media accounts, youtube, clients, mentorship, and now a clothing brand. I would say that I am the career driven caretaker that I work so well with in my practice. I just have the tools to manage thoughts of inadequacy and overachieving. I often have to remind myself, or my husband does that I am only one person. But I’m one person with so many ideas and that must’ve come to me for a reason, RIGHT?
Anyhow, Mental Essentials Apparel and Accessories is a mental health awareness brand. Mental Essentials, MEAA for short was established to obviously increase mental health awareness particularly within black and brown communities. As a therapist, I have consultations with various clients. During the consultations with Caucasian client’s, they would describe how they have been in therapy before and how beneficial it was to their mental health. However, during consultations with Black and Brown people, during the consultations many of the clients would be one mental health trigger away from suicidal ideations or may be already experiencing thoughts to unalive themselves. Additionally, one of the questions of the assessment is “has there ever been a time when the symptoms worsened” and for many of the Caucasion clients it would be a reference to the past, however for Black and Brown clients it would be currently.
Which lead me to the great idea to discover a way to destigmatize mental health within my community and Mental Essentials Apparel & Accessories was established. I combined fashion with mental health statements, symptoms, coping skills and placed them on apparel pieces to be fashionable, because black and brown people are going to look good and dress nice. I decided to pair mental health awareness statement apparel with fashion because fashion is an industry heavily influenced by black and brown people! If you or someone you know are prioritizing your mental health in 2023, and feel led to support, please do! If you sign up for the news letter, you can receive 15% of your first purchase and free shipping!
If you or someone you know resonates with the information shared in this article and would like to attend therapy to assist with overcoming the above mentioned symptoms and are located in the states of NC, SC, VA, or MD you can click here to see my rates and/or the insurance I accept. You can click here to schedule a consultation or Initial Evaluation.
Disclaimer: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but I am not YOUR Licensed Clinical Social Worker. These blog posts are based on my personal opinions, reflections, and insights and are not intended to be taken as professional therapeutic intervention(s) and/or advice. Further, please note these blogs are not intended to serve as and/or replace formal counseling services. If you are in need or interested in taking part in direct therapeutic services, please contact your insurance provider’s customer service for assistance. You may also consult website such as (but not limited to) Psychology Today and Therapy for Black Girls to find a therapist. If you are located in NC, MD, SC, or VA and would like to work with me, click here to ensure I accept your insurance or check my rates and here to schedule an appointment.
