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Understanding Schizophrenia: The Silent Battle Too Many Misunderstand
Schizophrenia. Even hearing the word can stir discomfort, fear, confusion. For many, it’s wrapped in myths: “split personality,” unpredictable danger, permanent incapacity. But the reality is deeper, more complex—and more human. In communities like mine, we talk about hustle, survival, trauma, resilience—but we often don’t talk about severe mental illness the way we do physical illness. And that omission comes at a cost.
If you are reading this and you—or someone you love—
Shalena
Oct 259 min read


When the Internet Turns Cruel: Fat-Shaming, Classism, and the Online Bullying of the Mentally Ill and Disabled
The internet was supposed to be our great equalizer — a place where everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, could speak freely and connect without limits. But somewhere between the hashtags and the highlight reels, it became something darker.
Today, online spaces have turned into breeding grounds for cruelty — a digital arena where people tear each other apart for likes, retweets, and viral moments. From fat-shaming and classism to the mocking of mental ill
Shalena
Oct 234 min read


Gang Stalking : How Fear, Fan Bases, and Online Power Turn Paranoia into Reality
There’s a really dark corner of the internet where fear meets technology and people whisper about something called “gang stalking.”
It’s a phrase that has taken over forums, TikToks, and YouTube channels, where thousands claim they’re being followed, tracked, or harassed by organized groups. They call themselves “Targeted Individuals” (TIs) — victims of coordinated psychological warfare meant to destroy their lives.
Skeptics call it delusion. Supporters call it evidenc
Shalena
Oct 236 min read


Gucci Mane’s Mental Health Journey: From “The Trap” to Therapy — and the Woman Who Saved Him
When Radric Davis—better known as Gucci Mane—first stormed the hip-hop scene, he was pure Atlanta energy: raw, rebellious, and untouchably confident. But behind the fame and flash lived a man quietly fighting for his sanity.
In his powerful 2025 memoir Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man (Simon & Schuster, co-written with journalist Kathy Iandoli), Gucci strips away the armor to reveal the truth: decades of addiction, trauma, and untreated mental illness that almos
Shalena
Oct 216 min read


Promoting Mental Health Awareness Effectively
Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, yet it often remains overlooked or misunderstood. Promoting mental health effectively requires thoughtful strategies that engage communities, reduce stigma, and provide accessible resources. This article explores practical approaches to mental health promotion, offering actionable recommendations to foster a supportive environment for everyone.
Shalena
Oct 204 min read


World Mental Health Month: The Silent Struggle and the Journey Back to Ourselves
Every October, we see the same green ribbons and slogans: “It’s okay not to be okay.” But what happens when even saying you’re not okay feels dangerous, weak, or out of reach? What happens when you’re carrying generations of pain that nobody ever gave you permission to name?
Shalena
Oct 145 min read


Eight More Mental Health Workers Charged in Widespread Abuse Scandal at Muckamore Hospital
Mental health has always been close to my heart — not as a buzzword, but as a reality that touches nearly every family, every friend group, and every community I know.We talk about healing, therapy, and support — yet behind the closed doors of too many institutions, that compassion vanishes. What happens when the people we trust to care become the ones who harm?
Shalena
Oct 144 min read


The Real Reason Mental Health Is Getting Worse
Something is shifting in the air. You can feel it in the workplace when half the team looks like they’re running on fumes. You can feel it in the group chats when everyone goes quiet at once. You can see it in the mirror — that heavy, tired look that no amount of sleep seems to fix.
Mental health in late 2025 has reached a boiling point. Not because we suddenly “care less” about ourselves — but because the world around us keeps getting heavier, louder, and faster.
We’ve
Shalena
Oct 106 min read


MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES -DC
In Washington, D.C., a wide range of mental health resources are available to residents, from immediate crisis support to long-term therapy and specialized care. The DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is the central hub for many of these services, which are often provided through a network of community-based organizations. Many of these resources offer low-cost or sliding-scale options, making care more accessible.
Shalena
Sep 213 min read


Exploring the Darker Side of Social Media Influence
We live in a time where an “influencer” can change your mind faster than your mama or your pastor ever could. One post, one TikTok, one viral video—and suddenly you’re buying a $70 face cream, voting differently, or feeling like your life is trash compared to someone else’s highlight reel.
Shalena
Sep 156 min read


Mental Health Monday: Can We Really Trust AI With Our Mental Health?
Sooo, let’s talk. We live in a world where your therapist might be… a chatbot. Yep, in 2025, more and more people are turning to artificial intelligence to vent, journal, or even ask for “therapy-like” advice. It’s cheap, it’s 24/7, and it never judges or so people think.
But here’s the tea: experts are warning us that AI isn’t built to handle the heavy stuff. And if you’ve seen the latest headlines, you know this isn’t just a tech story it’s a mental health crisis waiting
Shalena
Sep 85 min read


The Heartbreaking Story of Sewell Setzer III
A Loving Family, A Devastating Loss
Sewell Setzer III was just 14 years old when his life came to a tragic end in March 2024. He wasn’t some forgotten child, left to figure things out on his own. He had a mother who loved him dearly, who was present in his life, and who is now courageously speaking out so no other parent has to feel the pain she carries every day.
But like many teens, Sewell also had a private world—one that unfolded on his phone and computer. And it was in
Shalena
Sep 84 min read


Accessing the Right Mental Health Resources for You
Finding the right mental health support services can feel overwhelming. There are many options available, and knowing where to start is...
Shalena
Aug 264 min read


Mental Health Monday-Give Yourself Grace❤
Let’s be honest… some Mondays hit harder than others. And if you're anything like me, you probably woke up today feeling like the world expects you to be “on,” productive, grateful, energized, and positive—all before your first sip of coffee.
Mental Health Monday-When You’re Tired, Forgetful, and Just Trying to Keep It Together
Shalena
Aug 43 min read


Top Black Mental Health Podcasts You Need in Your Rotation
Let’s have a real moment, sis.
Mental health has finally entered the mainstream, but for too long, our voices were left out of the conversation. The therapy rooms weren’t always built for us. The resources weren’t written in our language. And the so-called “self-help” movement rarely saw us — Black, bold, brilliant — as the audience it needed to serve. But that’s changing. We’re taking up space. We’re rewriting the narrative. We’re healing out loud.
Shalena
Jul 274 min read


Strategies for Mental Health Wellness
I know you may not want to hear this, but maintaining mental health balance is more crucial than ever. The demands of everyday life can take a toll on our well-being, causing stress, anxiety, and even depression. Check out these effective strategies to enhance your mental health, ensuring that you lead a balanced, fulfilling life.
Shalena
Jul 274 min read


The Mindful Reset: Why Everyone’s Talking About Meditation (and Why You Should Be, Too)
Let’s be real—life moves fast. Between endless scrolling, non-stop notifications, and the mental gymnastics of juggling work, family, and dr
Shalena
Jul 222 min read


Mental Health and Homelessness
Let’s keep it 100...When you see someone sleeping on a sidewalk, talking to themselves, or digging through a trash can just to eat—what’s the first thought that crosses your mind? “They’re lazy”? “They’re on drugs”? “They must’ve done something to end up like that”?
Rarely do we think: “That could’ve been me.”
And most of us think this way... And SHAME ON US—if we’re being honest—We have trained ourselves to look away. Maybe it’s out of guilt. Maybe fear. Maybe we’re jus
Shalena
Jul 76 min read


Mental Health in the Fast Food Industry: Why It Matters
By Shalena Speaks Let’s talk about something that rarely makes headlines but affects millions of workers across America every single day:...
Shalena
Jun 305 min read


Mental Health Monday: Coping When the World Feels Like It's Burning
If you’ve been feeling heavy lately, you’re not alone. The headlines in 2025 hit differently. From the war escalating between Israel and...
Shalena
Jun 233 min read
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