As told to Jacquelyne Froeber
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
At 13, I experienced sudden breathlessness that left me and my parents terrified. After multiple episodes, a healthcare provider chalked it up to anxiety. In the Black community, mental health is often taboo, but my anxiety grew into a monster that impacted my life. Years later, I sought therapy and eventually used my experiences to create a web series and one-woman show about being a black woman with anxiety, aiming to normalize mental health discussions. Overcoming challenges and taking time to focus on my mental health has been crucial, leading me to continue spreading awareness through my performances.
2024 (Photo/Julius “J” Boseman)
The journey has been challenging, but I’ve learned to prioritize my mental health, finding strength and courage to share my story and help others struggling with anxiety. By taking it one breath at a time, I continue to advocate for mental health awareness, breaking the stigma in the Black community.
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Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.
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