ManicWorld Magazine

Mary Lawal’s Mission in Mental Health Awareness

‘I longed to feel anything else except misery, except the pain and hurt‘

How are you feeling right in this moment? In this very moment I feel blessed and highly favored.

–What drew you into being a mental health activist? Was it a personal experience or someone else’s? I started having a burning passion for mental health advocacy after years of struggling with my mental health. Growing up mental health wasn’t talked about so I always struggled to navigate my mental health struggles on my own, for years and years I struggled with suicidal ideation, struggling to find a reason to stay, constantly being in the hospital/mental health unit, I couldn’t find a reason to keep going, I felt like my life was worth nothing, I couldn’t just see beyond the darkness I was feeling for as long as i could remember, I couldn’t see past all the hurt, I didn’t think i stood a chance at ever feeling true peace and happiness, all i knew was that life had nothing to offer me. I would throw myself at different things creating idols desperate for an escape, a way out even if it was temporary, I longed to feel anything else except misery, except the pain and hurt.

I didn’t have a true understanding of God’s love and purpose for me. I doubted him because I couldn’t see why he would allow me feel this was for so long until he showed himself at my lowest point when I least expected it, when I felt alone the most and had begun to accept that this is all life has to offer me, he showed up and began turning my life around bringing light, restoring my peace, giving me clarity, hope and a purpose, turning my pain, my hurt, my sadness into joy, into gladness and gave me back my smile, replacing my troubles, my burdens and my emptiness with the assurance and hope of a promised future. I didn’t find him but he found me when I wasn’t looking and restored everything that was missing in my life. When I was still struggling before these changes started happening I also experienced stigma due to my cultural background and having to advocate for myself to get the support.

I realized there are many other youths who also experience stigma and have gone many years without the proper treatment needed for recovery. This is where my passion for mental health advocacy comes from. I wanted to get my story out there and educate people on mental health, letting them know they are not alone and sharing hope. Spreading awareness that mental health does not discriminate. I started volunteering with NAMI Bmore and NAMI Maryland sharing my story in different communities. Speaking as a witness at a congregational hearing with the Democratic women’s caucus on teen girls mental health, being on CBS Baltimore News talking about youth mental health care and my experience with the delayed wait times in ER. Being a part of the Maryland general assembly sponsor panel for the 988 bill fund hearing.

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–What do you think the society at large should understand about mental health? Society needs to understand that mental health is no different than physical health, we all have a mental health and mental health can affect us in different ways whether it’s a loss of a loved one or childhood trauma even work or school stress etc as well Society needs to also understand when it comes to faith and mental health I believe incorporating the Faith component to every aspect of our life is important especially in mental health recovery/treatment.

The Faith community can make it seem as though taking medication or seeing a mental health professional is doubting God’s power or going behind his back but God knew we needed these things to help us and that’s why he put them in place to assist us, you do not have to trade one for the other and this is what many in the Faith community do not understand and so getting professional intervention and taking medication is sunned, very stigmatized and discouraged.

This was also my experience with stigma as while with opening up to my parents about my mental health struggles but I had to stand my ground and advocate for myself to get professional intervention whilst educating them that mental health does not discriminate regardless of anyone’s religious or cultural background, anyone regardless of who or what they look like can be affected by mental health.

God cares about our mental health and doesn’t want to see us suffer in silence. He is there to also listen and guide us through our mental health recovery process and I want people to know this, you do not have to trade one in for the other.

–In your time volunteering, what have you noticed about the people you have worked with, if you are at liberty to say, that is? I’ve noticed that yes we all aim to advocate for mental health but each of us have our unique interests, experiences and expertise and we make sure that everyone feels appreciated and valued, as well as respecting everyone’s perspectives most importantly we are very big on celebrating each other’s win are able to and uplift each other.

-What factors do you think are affecting the awareness of mental health awareness in the community? Lack of education and resources is the biggest factor in minority communities which makes it hard to have an understanding of how mental health can affect a person because there is simply not enough resources and education available in the community to provide that awareness which then can lead to stigmas and misconceptions about mental health. A lot of minority communities don’t have enough mental health services such as mental health professionals, infrastructures, school counselors and other community programs which makes it difficult to access proper services for those in need which might lead to mental health to deteriorate or incarceration or even worse.

–How has your personal experience shaped the way you work? Sharing my personal lived experiences with mental health is what I do, I use my story as a way to advocate, educate, spread hope and change the narrative. To let others know that help is available. What motivates me is seeing how much others can relate to my experience and knowing that using my voice for change is saving lives and creating a safe space for others to feel seen and heard, I’ve had so many people come up to me after my speaking engagements and telling me thank you because they needed that, this gives me so much confidence to keep going and knowing that everything I went through wasn’t for nothing but to say Thank you Jesus for keeping me for a time like this


-In a recent interview, you spoke about people having a fear of being stigmatized. Do you think social media has helped speaking about mental health easier or less stigmatized? Of course, I believe social media can be used as a tool for advocacy and being able to spread awareness and education about mental health to a widespread has not only lessened the stigma but has also created a community and an outlet for others to feel seen and heard. For me hearing others talk about their experiences with mental health on social media has helped me build the confidence in sharing my journey as well especially since talking mental health has always been seen as a taboo in the African American community as well as in other communities

-What signs do you think people should look out for before they decide to see a specialist for a diagnosis? Not to self-diagnose but in the sense of there isn’t any smoke without fire kind of thing? When your mental health begins to affect your daily life for example you find that your mood has become debilitating that it affects doing things such as getting out of bed or not able to get enough sleep, doing daily hygiene, going to work or school. When you find that you no longer find interest in doing the things you once loved, you’re starting to isolate yourself more usually to hide your feelings or avoid being asked what’s wrong, feeling you are unable to keep your safe due to feelings of wanting to harm yourself or others might be a sign to get mental health intervention or ask for support by speaking to a professional or a crisis counselor for more resources.

–What quote or statement do you think about often that must have impacted you or has stuck with you? It could even be a meme or an infographic? Psalm 46 has been a psalm that I found at a time when I had hit rock bottom and had been a psalm that has now helped me overcome my hardest moments especially when I feel I am extremely burdened or weighed down.

–How did you get into volunteering? For the people reading this who might be interested in volunteering. I started off by doing a lot of research on different mental health organizations that have opportunities to share my story and experiences, then tried to call to get more information and luckily I heard back from NAMI Baltimore, I got screened and interviewed and went through different trainings and started sharing my story in different communities, leading their youth support groups and being an outspoken advocate.

I’ve also worked with NAMI Maryland on different opportunities from there on more opportunities started coming by way. I applied and got accepted to work with NAMI on a national level on the NAMI Next Gen 10 member youth advisory group and out of a 100+ applicants to I’ve been able to represent the voices of youth and young adults across the country and advise, create and innovate how NAMI works with youth and young adults. Throughout the year I will continue to work to provide my thoughts, opinions, and feedback that will help inform the work of NAMI programs, content, initiatives and new projects to meet young people where they are.

Through this opportunity I was even able to represent NAMI at a press conference in support of The Access in Mental Health Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Jamaal Bowman. A bill that provides grants to minority universities helping to build or expand their graduate program in the mental health field. As well as speaking on the 50th episode of the Hope Starts With Us NAMI Podcast hosted by NAMIs CEO Dan Gilson, I was able to share my experience on faith, community and mental health. I’ve also had multiple virtual speaking opportunities from people in Nigeria that have reached out to me to speak at their university or at their organization.

My advice for anyone looking to volunteer would be to find what works for you, what you’re most passionate or interested in and do lots of research, attend networking events and document your experiences or have a resume and create a LinkedIn profile to display your interest, skills and accomplishments. Don’t be shy to put yourself out there, build a brand for yourself, put in your bio what you’re passionate about.

–What do you have for anyone reading this that feels like they’re carrying the weight of the world and nobody notices? If you’re currently in a dark place where it feels like nothing makes sense and as though you’re about to give up do not lose hope, hold on even in the midst of the dark and keep fighting till you see the light. If you are reading this right now, my story should be proof that life can try to knock you down but your story doesn’t have to end there, this right now is just a chapter in your story.

The Lord has a purpose for you, if you cling onto him putting all your trust and hope in him he will begin to guide your ways, leading and directing you, filling and making you whole. Giving you the tools you need to overcome the season of storm. If you wholeheartedly search for him he will begin to reveal himself to you Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

The Lord has space for you and is eagerly waiting for you, in stillness is where you will be able to find him, allow him to take away your burdens and worries, everything that feels too heavy to carry alone. Seek him diligently and he will give you rest, he will quench your thirst, peace he will give, a peace that you have never experienced before. A peace that cannot be bought and cannot be found elsewhere.

-And finally, do you prefer your right ear or left ear? Like if one of them had to get cut off, which of them would you protect and why? I’d say I’ve always preferred my right ear because I hear better on that side and will definitely protect it the most lol.

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To follow Mary, you can find social media profiles here:

Instagram

For more information on her work and advocacy activities, you can visit the following:
Rotary International CBS Baltimore

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