MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST DIRECTORY 2019

// "We need so much more openness, transparency and understanding that it's OK to talk about depression as an illness. It's not a weakness.  It's not a moral shortcoming. It's not something people brought on themselves" -John F. Greden, MD //

When Mental Health Awareness month began, I was pushed to do something I had been wanting to do for a couple of years. I don't need a study to show me the prevalence of mental illness, the most likely causes of mental illness, the stigma and attitudes toward mental illness, the lack of access to medical care, the issues with treatment of mental illness, the lack of representation of minorities treating those with mental health issues and the devastation that mental illness can cause in the African American community...I see it in my community, in families around me, in  my friends and in my patients daily. But what can I do about it?!?! I don't have the capital, the power or the platform to change these things....but I have love, empathy, knowledge, resources and great friends. So I called my dear LS Mrs. Sharita Bilson with the new Grace Place Therapy in Little Rock, Arkansas and my friend Ms. Kendra Glasper, an awesome social worker in Northwest Arkansas, to help me make a MELANATED MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTORY for THERAPISTS! (I am so grateful for these ladies). This is a work in progress, but this is our first one. We have comprised a list of minority therapist in Little Rock, NLR, Conway, Benton, Searcy, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, Dermott, Fayetteville, Rogers and Fort Smith. I will attach the link to this directory in my bio. Please copy and distribute...to providers you know, your clinics, your friends, EVERYONE! If you know someone who should be on the list, let us know! We are a village....who can benefit from both structured medical care and prayer. Let's help each other!

Your Mindset is EVERYTHING!

//"In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision" - Dalai Lama //

When you go through transitions and/or tough times, you oftentimes become isolated.  

During this time of isolation, you must choose what you will do with it. 

1. you can wallow in lonliness (this is the equivalent of choosing a negative mindset)

or 

2. you can utilize this time to get to know YOU, understand your situation, grow and learn from this isolation and come out of it a better person (i.e. a positive mindset) 

The last 2-3 years of my life have been an interesting time.  When I really take the time to look back, a lot has occurred in the last few years. 

- I reached a milestone in my life by completing my MD/MPH degree and began my medical residency training -- unfortunately, I experienced all of this joy and progress and happiness without a person that I had expected to be in my life forever. 

- I moved to a town where I practically knew no-one to begin the grueling work schedule that is residency, while working to sustain a long-distance, new relationship. 

- I had to navigate, daily, the difficulty of being a young, tall, minority female working as a physician in a male-dominated field in Arkansas (the stories I could tell..and will, with time). 

- I had to work on getting control over my anxiety (which at times can be extremely overwhelming--specifically when it comes to examinations). 

- I had to control my anxiety, while working about 100hrs a week, while simultaneously studying for Step 3 -- a 2-day, 16- hour exam. 

There is probably so much more I can list when it comes to things that crowd my headspace daily and attribute to my stress and anxiety over that last few years, but I think that is enough.  During this time, I have chosen the #2 option above. I have been in my own world, dealing with my own "stuff", navigating my own obstacles, learning about me and figuring out what I want and/or need. This time has been exhausting, precious, beneficial and is currently still on-going. 

I hope that when you enter these transitions or moments in your life, you also choose 2! I hope you choose a positive mindset that results in positive outcomes -- especially understanding and growth*

XOXO

Dr. Z

Major Key: Aspire to Inspire

//“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies . . . Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die . . . It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away.”   -Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451//

My mother moved to England from Ghana at the age of about 17. She then traveled the world (for a few years, since she currently on 29 and 3/4) and eventually moved to the United States just a few years before I was born.  Growing up with an amazing intelligent and well-traveled mother afforded me a different world view.  I saw the world as a first generation Ghanaian-American who was brought up in a fully Ghanaian household.  My culture was not American, my food growing up was not American and my relationship to African-Americans was often difficult to cultivate due to this difference in perspective. I have grown and learned and forged many relationships with many different people from many different backgrounds, but I cherish the mindset I learned from my mother.  That is the beauty of passing on knowledge, experiences, thoughts, culture, etc from generation to generation.  My mother helped me navigate this world...and she taught me not to be selfish in my knowledge, but to help my fellow brother or sister.  She engrained in me the drive to pass things along, to help others, to pave a way, to be thankful to those who came before me, to share the wealth...to aspire to inspire.

I am a dark-skinned, Ghanaian-American, assertive, strong-minded and intelligent FEMALE Medical Doctor in a Caucasian, male-dominated field. I experience things that many of my colleagues never even think of. My dream is that the medical field becomes more diverse and fully saturated with minorities!

What advice do you have for girls that aspire to be a “ Black Woman, White Coat?”

First and foremost, never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams. Anything that you aspire to do or be, you can do it! The road to attaining your goals may not be easy, it may have great triumphs and failures, but you should always remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and people will be put in your path to help you...sometimes when you least expect it.

My advice is to follow your dreams. Do well in school. Be prepared to always be your best, because unfortunately, a lot of people are waiting for you to make a mistake. Seek help when you need it! Having the skill of knowing when to ask for help is invaluable. Find a mentor who has recently been through what you are planning to go through (my email is on my contact page!!). Sometimes just hearing stories of success can be the greatest boost in confidence. Lastly, NEVER GIVE UP.

What do you hope to accomplish while practicing?

I recognize that practicing medicine means that I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me. I hope to continue to become a well-rounded, competent, and compassionate physician.  I want to make a positive impact in the lives of my patients and in my community.  I want to give back to my community and help others attain their goals, through mentoring. I want to inspire and motivate young people, especially young African-Americans, to work hard for their dreams and to help them realize that you can really do anything if you put your mind to it and ask for help when you need it...and I want to help with this process in any way that I can. I have made it this far and will continue to reach greater heights...and I want that for everyone.  If I can do it, you can too!

-Dr.Z

Speedy Cold Recovery: 101

// “I think there are things for all of us to do as long as we’re here and we’re healthy.” – Gwendolyn Brooks //

Now, when it comes to being a doctor, I can prescribe medications ALL DAY! But personally, I am just a holistic first-generation Ghanaian-American who sniffs oils and drinks special drinks daily. 

When I was a little girl, I would get a cold and my mom would make me Lite Soup (its very similar to an American broth based soup with chicken).  She would make the soup so spicy that I would sit on the floor eating it with a large glass of ice-cold water and a loaf of bread next to me.  My nose would run as I was eating and if my lips didn't require ice cubes to be applied to them because they felt like they had burned off, then the soup wasn't hot enough.  
As an intern, cooking is something I have little to no time for.  So instead, I have concocted a holistic regimen that has me over my colds in 24-36 hours. Now, everyone is different...but this method has worked consistently for me. 

1. As soon as I start feeling the tickle in my throat, I start eating Ricola. Besides being Coco Chanels' favorite snack (my puppy), they are great for soothing the throat!

walgreens.com

2. I live for the Olbas Oil inhaler!!!! I sniff this stuff like 20 times a day...especially before walking into a patients' room who I just feel might have something to spread.  I have been using Olbas Oil for years. Initially, we had to have it shipped from Ghana to the US.  Then it made its way to the UK...so our shipping fees were lessened. But now, you can get it in the US at certain Natural Food Stores. 

walgreens.com

3. I drink the same concoction EVERY MORNING!!!! I boil water and pour it over a couple of lemon slices and a bit of fresh cut ginger. When I have a sore throat, I just add a little honey to the mix.  This drink just makes me feel better and gives me energy for the day (I am that doctor who never drinks coffee or energy drinks). It also seems to ward off my colds, and if I do get a cold, I get over it pretty quickly.

So this is my little regimen! Hope it helps, my holistic homies*