Most definitely
Anywhere I am connecting with humans and nature, I feel a fondness. If you possess the Spirit of fondness everyplace is a special place.
I passionately want better mental health for people living in disadvantaged communities, based on extensive research and well-developed, culturally unbiased intervention models.
I am a 14-year advertising and media executive who grew frustrated with the state of our young. So, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of getting a college degree and becoming a psychologist. After graduating at the top of my class, I am poised to enter a doctorate program in fall 2010.
I founded an organization called the Get Free® Mental Health Collective. Get Free® generates and maintains awareness of mental illness among disadvantaged communities, and advocates for effective mental health research and programs for children, youth, and adults. I am currently working with Atlanta Public Schools Parents as Partners program to develop modeling strategies for parents in Atlanta public schools. Get Free® is also on facebook and twitter (@aamentalhealth), and a website is in development. It is a registered organization in the state of Georgia. Get Free® was also recently awarded free training on becoming a non-profit organization. Currently, Get Free® is working with local licensed counselors to develop a rites of passage program that enables mothers, and daughters ages 11-15 to learn coping strategies together by developing effective communication skills based on the mutual understanding of the challenges of motherhood and those of childhood.
I am also an authorized facilitator for Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children sexual abuse prevention program. This program takes a direct and comprehensive approach to the problem of sexual abuse within youth-serving organizations, and the larger community.
