“Mental health was overlooked for many years, because it was purely misunderstood.'“ Mental Health is becoming a more present part of the conversation, and the stigma around it is slowly disappearing. After working through her own challenging mental health journey, today’s woman dreamer, Dr. Meagan Copelin, wants to help others struggling. She writes “"I will work to fight mental health stigma until no one has to go through negative experiences like mine." In this interview, Meagan brings an insightful perspective to all things mental health: the role of social media and how we can change our mindset, the stigma around mental health, the crucial signs for parents that their children may be struggling, and essential strategies for families and individuals to become “mentally rich'“. Be “Mentally Rich” with us, and check out Meagan’s empowering story.

What does "Mentally Rich" mean to you, and how can women apply the mindset in their own lives? 

Mental health influences how you think, feel, and behave in daily life. It also affects your ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, build relationships, and recover from life’s setbacks and hardships.  The way you think about yourself can have a huge influence on your ability to create a healthy mindset.  Being mentally rich is simple.  It is all about building momentum and the ability to live the kind of life that makes you happy. Self-care and self-worth are key in building a mentally rich mindset.  Mentally rich is the ability to build a sense of belonging, in which you realize your own abilities and can cope with the normal stresses of life.

As a woman, I had to learn the importance of self-care.  I also felt that it was important to provide myself with the opportunity to experience all the best things about life and to enjoy every minute of it, no matter my past experiences.  Self-care and self-love are one of the strongest and greatest gifts women can give themselves.  Self-care is essential because it encourages self-improvement. When we take care of ourselves, it has a positive influence on our overall mindset.  Self-care protects your mental health. 

What's your story? Why did you want to become a mental health coach? What is next for you, I saw you have a podcast coming soon? 

I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and am the product of drug addicted parents.  I first showed signs of depression at the age of 8 years old, due to several childhood trauma experiences.  At the age of 12 years old, I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist with depression, anxiety, PTSD and bipolar disorder.  At a young age, I knew I was different and battling struggles, but didn’t understand the capacity of my mental illnesses until much later in life. 

I decided to become a certified mental health coach because I have experienced first-hand the stigma and torment of mental illnesses.  This is also a way for me to share my story in support of reaching others who may have or currently suffer in silence.  I realized early on I had a gift for guiding people through darkness. I became a mental health coach as I am human and have fought my own battles, not always with ease but with hope and determination. I never gave up on myself and wanted to show others that it is possible to overcome battles and manage mental illnesses through patience and love for themselves.  It is a privilege for me to accompany people on their journey of self-understanding and change and shine some light into their life.

I am currently working on several projects, to include launching my podcast focused on mental health.  The name of my podcast is “Mental Health Mogul” and I bring to the table real life experiences.  I am very determined and hopeful that my podcast can shine light into the real-life experiences of battling mental health.  This podcast will be real and raw, and I am excited to launch it later this year. 

What are signs that someone is struggling with mental health? What are some strategies to help friends/families struggling with mental illness? 

Most people believe that mental health conditions don’t exist.  In fact, mental health illnesses are common and widespread. According to MHA.org, an estimated 44 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder each year.  Social stigma and discrimination can make mental health problems worse and stop a person from getting the help they need. 

There are several signs that someone you love may be struggling with mental health illnesses, to include:   

·       Long-lasting sadness or irritability

·       Extremely high and low moods

·       Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety

·       Social withdrawal

·       Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits

·       Feeling sad or down

·       Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate

·       Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping

·       Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)

·       Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities

·       Suicidal thoughts

·       Numerous unexplained physical ailments

·       Substance use

Most friends/families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental illness. It can be physically and emotionally trying and can make one feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.  It is important that someone suffering from mental health illnesses feel supported and not judged.  The first thing to do is to listen without making judgement and concentrate on your loved one needs in that moment.  Research is key and learning about mental health can aid in assisting your loved one cope.  In addition, it is important to avoid confrontation, talk to your family member about your concerns, and encourage them to seek support and get to know the Mental Health Act and crisis resources.

What are the most common misconceptions you see around mental health and mental illness? Does it differ between men and women? 

The most common misconceptions I see around mental health and mental illness include:

·       Mental health problems don't affect me.  In fact, 1 in 25 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

·       Children don't experience mental health problems.  In fact, half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.

·       People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.  In fact, most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. 

Another common misconception is that men are less susceptible to suffering from mental health issues than women because they are generally physically stronger. Perhaps the biggest misconception for mental health is that those suffering with mental illness must be weak. Many people feel that they cannot express their concerns because of this stigma. Women and men can develop most of the same mental illnesses and conditions but may experience different symptoms. The same numbers of women and men experience mental health problems overall, but some problems are more common in women than men, and vice versa.  Researchers are only now beginning to tease apart the various biological factors that may impact the mental health of both women and men.  No matter gender, it is important to note that anyone experiencing mental health, should feel supported and understood. 

Why do you think mental health was so overlooked for many years? Do you think it’s something parents and schools should educate their kids on, and if so, how? 

I believe that mental health was overlooked for many years, because it was purely misunderstood.  When I was first diagnosed with mental illnesses, I was misinformed and was provided with medication that would allow me to manage most of my illnesses but not all.  Public awareness and understanding have always been relatively low because what mental illness looks like from the outside can be very different from the person currently feels.  Mental illness is not a look.  There has always been a huge stigma surrounding mental health that does exist to this very day.  Lack of proper education lead lots of people to believe that talking about mental health is not an important thing. Mental health is one of the most neglected health problems in this world.  The socio-economic repercussions of untreated mental illnesses are devastating.  While much needs to be done to fix the mental health crisis, one major key to improving mental health is to better integrate mental and physical healthcare services.  More and more kids are struggling to cope with their mental health, especially during the times we are experiencing today in the world.  Good mental health is fundamental to be able to thrive in life. If we’re not tackling mental health problems early, then we risk failing the next generation right at the start of their lives.  Teachers, leadership, the curriculum, parents and access to support all contribute to creating a mentally healthy, nurturing environment for kids.  It is important that staff, parents, and students are educated on symptoms of mental health.  It is also essential to promote social and emotional competency and build resilience in schools, in addition to helping ensure a positive, safe home and school environment.

What would you say is the Role of Social Media and Mental Health.?

Social media has a huge impact on our lives and it’s only set to increase in the future.  Rather than asking if social media is the problem, let’s for a moment ask what the screen reflects.  Social media is something we brought into existence, not something that happened to us.  Over the past 10 years social media has quickly embedded itself as an integral part of our lives, for better or worse, and can have a significant impact on our mental health if not managed correctly.  Social media can be positive for our wellbeing, as it provides people a voice, allows self-expression, connects us and can empower social change.  How you experience social media can affect your mood, in a positive or negative way.  The ways that people are using social media may have more of an impact on their mental health and well-being than just the frequency and duration of their use.  Studies have found that many with mental illness appear to turn to social media to share their personal experiences, seek information about their mental health and treatment options, and give and receive support from others facing similar mental health challenges.  It is important to understand whether or not comparing ourselves to others online can harm us depends on a number of factors, to include the degree to which we are comparing ourselves to what we see online, and the amount of time we spend doing it, in addition to what we believe we see is an accurate portrayal of reality.  These things can of course have an impact on our mental health.  By moving beyond asking if social media is the problem and starting to dissect the root problems it could be reflecting to us, maybe we can minimize the opportunity social media has to undermine our mental health.

Thank you so much Meagan for bringing these essential tips and insights to our empowered women’s network!

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