Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in
2

I'm Talking Mental Health and Self-Care on Hard Knock Radio with Davey D


Listen to the interview here. 

While taking in the beauty of The Black Woman is God exhibit, I ran into longtime media personality and Hard Knock Radio host Davey D. We got to talking to and he invited me and my friend to be guests on his 94.1 KPFA show to talk about mental health during these violent times. It airs at 4pm.  Below are links to resources. I also have a short video that you can watch here where I talk about wellness tools.

One thing I forgot to mention in my interview is for people to see a therapist. And that when you go seek out a therapist you can ask for someone who is of your culture, race, sexual orientation, sex, gender, etc.


Black People Take Care of Yourselves
This is the short Periscope video I made after the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Whether you're Black or not, I think you can benefit from some of the wellness suggestions I made. I did mention that I had to drink 1 glass of wine to take the edge off. I'm not condoning being dependent on alcohol. For me I just needed a little something to bring me down. Sometimes it's lavender tea, and that day it was chardonnay. But I strongly suggest not isolating yourself and checking with friends.

JFK University in Oakland
I've never been but I know of people who have. They say the counselors, who are grad students, are great. Counseling rates are lower because these are grad students. When I was in grad school, my counselor was a grad student and she helped me get through a tough year.

Mental Health Association of Alameda County
This link has a ton of resources in Alameda County

Call 211 or visit 211BayArea.org
This is a resource when you need info on shelter, counseling, food programs, health programs etc. You can also call for information in case of a disaster. It's a 24/hour line in more than 150 languages.

East Bay Meditation Center
This is a diverse, social justice Buddhist community that hosts daylong retreats and meditative spaces. Their services are donation based. Give what you can. Many of their daylong retreats are for people of color, LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, etc. They've hosted retreats to help people dealing with depression and anxiety.  I'm not Buddhist but I love coming here for the friendly environment and to quiet my mind.

Beats, Rhymes and Life
BRL is a nonprofit that uses hip hop therapy to empower youth dealing with mental health issues. Trauma is one of those challenges and many of us are living with post trauma in light of what's happening in our communities.

Mental Health Podcast 
I hosted a podcast on mental health for a former employer. I have a ton of great interviews, and uplifting stories on mental health for people to listen to.

I wish us all peace and healing. I pray the violence stops. Until then, take care of yourselves.






Comments

Post a Comment