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PTSD & Trauma-Related Disorders in Urban Communities: Breaking the Silence
Let's talk numbers for a second, because they're honestly wild. 31% of people living in urban communities have PTSD. That's nearly one in three people walking down your block, riding the same bus, working in the same building as you. To put that in perspective? That's higher than the 17% rate among Iraq war veterans. Read that again. Urban communities are dealing with trauma at rates higher than people who've been in active combat zones. And yet we're still whispering about
Shalena
Jan 106 min read


Personality Disorders in the City: Misunderstood &Overlooked
Here's the tea that nobody talks about: 1 in 7 people in urban communities are living with some form of personality disorder, yet most of us have never heard anyone openly discuss it. Let's be real – when someone mentions "personality disorder," most people either don't know what that means or they picture the worst stereotypes from movies and TV. But the reality? Your coworker who struggles with relationships, your cousin who can't handle criticism, that friend who seems to
Shalena
Jan 85 min read


OCD Is& Isn't Always What You Think: Urban Realities & Hope
Let's be real about something that gets misunderstood way too often. When people hear "OCD," most think of someone who's obsessed with cleaning or organizing their closet by color. Maybe they picture that one friend who always straightens picture frames or wipes down counters twice. But here's the tea: that's not what OCD actually looks like for most people living with it. Especially in our communities, where mental health already gets swept under the rug, OCD is one of those
Shalena
Jan 85 min read


Personality Disorders in the City: Misunderstood & Overlooked
Think of personality disorders as patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are pretty different from what society expects – and these patterns cause real problems in someone's daily life.
We're not talking about quirks or being "difficult." We're talking about deep, consistent patterns that make it hard to:
Shalena
Jan 85 min read


Schizophrenia &; Psychotic Disorders: Not Just a Headline: Urban Realities
Let's be real about something most people don't want to talk about.
When you hear "schizophrenia" or "psychotic disorder," what comes to mind? Probably some Hollywood movie villain or a scary news story, right?
Here's the tea: that's not what living with these conditions actually looks like for most people in our communities.
If you're in an urban area: especially if you're Black or Brown: you're statistically more likely to deal with psychotic symptoms at some point. Not
Shalena
Jan 85 min read


Urban Wellness in Living Color: Fresh Food Markets That Change Lives
Let's be real: when you think about urban wellness, your mind probably goes straight to expensive gym memberships and boutique smoothie bars. But what if I told you that some of the most powerful wellness transformations are happening in the most unexpected places? I'm talking about fresh food markets that are literally changing lives, one colorful vegetable at a time.
Shalena
Dec 17, 20255 min read


The 12 Main Types of Mental Health Conditions: An Urban Culture Guide
Let's be real, mental health conversations are finally happening everywhere, from your favorite podcasts to TikTok threads. But with all the information floating around, it can be overwhelming to understand what's what. Whether you're trying to understand your own experiences, support someone you love, or just get educated, having a clear breakdown of mental health conditions is essential.
Shalena
Dec 17, 20255 min read


Exposing the Real Impact of Cyberbullying: Urban Communities, Mental Health, and the Alarming Stats
Let's be real - cyberbullying isn't just some "kids being kids" situation anymore. We're talking about a full-blown crisis that's literally destroying lives, and it's hitting our urban communities the hardest. The numbers are scary, the mental health impacts are devastating, and honestly? It's time we had this uncomfortable conversation.
Shalena
Dec 17, 20255 min read


Why Mental Health Struggles Are Skyrocketing: This Economy Is Part of the Problem
Let's be real: if you've been feeling like your mental health has been on a roller coaster lately, you're definitely not alone. Here's some tea that might help explain what's going on: nearly one in 10 U.S. adults reported experiencing a mental health crisis in the past year. That's almost 9% of us out here struggling, and that number has been climbing faster than gas prices.
Shalena
Dec 17, 20255 min read


Stop Wasting Time on Fake Wellness Trends: Try These 7 Quick Mental Health Hacks That Actually Work
Let's be real – the wellness industry is full of expensive nonsense. Crystal healing sessions that cost more than your rent? Detox teas that promise to fix your entire life? Manifestation journals priced like luxury handbags? Bestie, we need to talk.
Shalena
Dec 17, 20255 min read


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 25, 20259 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 23, 20254 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 23, 20256 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 21, 20256 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 20, 20254 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 14, 20255 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 14, 20254 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 10, 20256 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 21, 20253 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 15, 20256 min read
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