Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sheree Braswell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sheree , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Being diagnosed with mental illness at the age of 16, when talking about mental illness openly was a hush topic; made it very difficult for my mental health recovery. It wasn’t until I decided in 2014 after having a nervous breakdown that I was going to take the risk and claim myself as a mental health awareness advocate and walk in my healing journey. Part of that healing journey was accepting that something was wrong and that I did have a mental health diagnosis. I started to work with my former therapist on learning more about my mental disorder of having Bipolar Disorder and break the myths and stigma when it comes to having mental illness. I was able to finally open up to church family and friends about me having a mental health diagnosis, Then, during Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2016, I decided to openly share my story on my blog www.shereebraswell.com and the feedback was phenomenal. Since then, I have been featured on various platforms including TV to share my story and in my books. I participated in mental health walks in Detroit and hosted Mental Health First Aid Training for Youth and Adults, as well as, receive a mini grant to spread more mental health awareness. I’ve also received two mental health awards in 2022 honoring the work that I do. I am so happy that something I once had so much shame about turned into something beautiful in helping saving lives and letting others know they are not alone. Now, I work as a Certified Peer Support Specialist at an amazing mental health agency in Michigan and I walk along with others in their journey to overcome any barriers and stigma when it comes to their illness. My goal next is to pursue a Masters in Social Work degree next year Fall. I want to become a clinical therapist, write many more books and host my own mental health trainings.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am very passionate when it comes to Jesus, mental health and loving others. I am very family oriented. I love dogs and children. I got into the mental health field because in 2012, God told me my purpose was to encourage those with mental illness. 10 years later, I am seeing everything God promise me come into fruition. I am an author of three books that shares a bit of my mental health journey and overcoming low self-esteem. What sets me apart from others is that I am faith based when it comes to my mental health advocacy and unashamed on how God and my support system pulled me through every valley moment. I am most proud of how I overcame so much and managed to accomplish many things including getting two degrees and planning on getting two more degrees. I am proud of myself for never giving up and I give all Glory to God for that. The main thing I want others to know about me is that your darkest moments can birth beautiful things. Keep holding onto GOD even when it gets rough. Your breakthrough is on the way, Also, it’s okay to seek treatment, attend therapy and take medication. God is not frowning upon you or discrediting your faith in Him because you need help. Recovery can happen for you too, and your loved one.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that taking medication meant you didn’t have enough faith or faith in your healing. I had to unlearn that mental illness was a spiritual thing and realize that it’s a chemical imbalance. I learned to see that mental illness is the same as your physical health and the same as if you had cancer or diabetes. For the longest, I didn’t come to that realization because I was trying to take matters in my own hands and not take medication because I had full “faith” that I will be healed without it and my mental health grew even worse. Now, I advocate that God uses doctors and medication to heal as well.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
2021 was a very rough year for me. I lost loved ones back to back and a loved one close to me became ill. I was stressed out and grieving at the same time. I was finishing up my last year at Eastern Michigan University and I wasn’t sure how I was going to financially cover my tuition my last year because I was running out of financial aid. My therapy sessions with my regular former therapist ended abruptly and it seems like even though my physical health and fitness was on point…my mental health was declining. I decided to check myself into psychiatric care. But God!! Scholarships came through where the tuition was paid off. I finished my last year at EMU with all A’s. I was seeing a counselor that one of my professors recommended me to check into Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) while I was away from my regular therapist and eventually, I was able to see my regular therapist again with the help of Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. I graduated from Eastern Michigan as planned. And many open doors and opportunities came after me. I was able to share part of that journey on Channel 7 WXYZ with Carolyn Clifford. God definitely wow’ed me and I’m forever grateful for Him carrying me through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shereebraswell.com
- Instagram: @sheree.p.braswell