Tynee Talks BURNOUT with Ayana Fordham

May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health is as important as physical health. If you're not right in the mind, it can affect every aspect of your life. This month, Tynee Talks will be doing a series entitled: "Get ya Mind Right!" The Get ya Mind Right series will focus on varying aspects of mental health including: Burnout, Black Male Trauma, Beauty & Self-Esteem.

In this episode Tynee Talks to spiritually grounded licensed clinician & motivational speaker, Ayana Fordham about "BURNOUT." Detailing what burnout is, Recognizing the signs of burnout, and how to overcome and/ or avoid burnout. 

Ayana is a native of Flint, MI with over 20 years of combined human services & social work experience, guided by her company’s acronym K.L.O.C.K. W.I.S.E. Knowledge, Listening, Opportunity, Courage, Kindness ~ Wisdom, Integrity, Support, & Empowerment to build resiliency in others.  

Ayana is dedicated to assisting others with converting their life challenges into lifestyle changes, by providing safe opportunities to address individual fears & emotions through therapeutic intervention, motivational speaking, training and education. 

Get into this edutaining conversation.

#tyneetalks​

#burnout​ #mentalhealth​

Guest Links:

www.instagram.com/kimonoblue28

** Host (Tynee Talks) Links: Host Links:

Linktr.ee/tyneetalks 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tyneetalks/

Instagram: Instagram.com/tyneetalks

Twitter: @tyneetune

Shop: Tynee Talks Merchandise

shop.spreadshirt.com/tynee-talks

shoptyneetalks.bigcartel.com

Tynee Talks: Breaking the Stigma of Depression and Anxiety (Mental Health Check)

Tynee Talks: Breaking the Stigma of Depression and Anxiety (Mental Health Check)

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month! If you have not had your mental health check- up, now is the time to do so! Just like we treat the common cold, we need to be just as adamant about treating our mental health.

Meet TaWanna Morgan
who lives with General Anxiety Disorder
Photo Provided by: TaWanna Morgan

Check out my talk with TaWanna Morgan, a woman diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) at the age of 34, and listen to how she copes on a daily basis. I also go into great depth about my mother's battle with Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder, and Depression, and growing up with a parent with mental illness.

You don't want to miss out on this great talk!

CLICK the LINK BELOW to listen to Ep. 18 of the Tynee Talks Podcast 

https://www.spreaker.com/user/dropsiteentertainment/tynee-talks-ep18?autoplay=true

Tynee Talks: Colored Lipstick for Colored Girls

Colored Lipstick

I came across the interesting picture posted above. Harsh comments were attached to the picture and the comments really ruffled my feathers. Not, because I’m sensitive to the craziness that comes with being online, but the fact that there’s an idea floating around, that Black women wearing unconventional lipstick, somehow makes them mentally ill clowns. This truly struck a chord with me, one because I take mental illness very seriously and two, because Black women can don whatever the hell they want. About 2 years ago, two Black women from Detroit, MI, were on ABC’s Shark Tank. They were looking to get a distribution deal for their Lip Bar lipstick line. They were insulted and told that their idea to have these varying shades of lipsticks was a waste of time. These two entrepreneurs are now reaping the benefits of not being conventional and coloring outside the lines. The Lip Bar is now exclusively sold at Target stores nationwide. I say all that to say, that the young lady in the picture could be rocking the Lip Bar products in an effort to support Black business. Or maybe she enjoys matching her shirts with her lipstick, hell I know I do!

Photo Credit: http://inwiththesharks.com/shark-tank-season-6-episode-18-recap/

My eyes were literally bulging out of my sockets at some of the comments I was reading. I mean, sure this woman was rocking turquoise lipstick to match her turquoise tank top, but the way these internet trolls attacked her character based on these feats were atrocious. Things like she must not have a job, she’s ugly, she’s mentally ill, she’s making a mockery out of Black women, etc… Well guess what, she could be making 6 figures and chooses to experiment with various colors like this on her off days. Everybody is attractive to someone. Unless you’re a board certified Psychiatrist, please don’t give out diagnoses to someone you’ve never even had a conversation with. And lastly, just because she chose to wear a wild lip color, doesn’t make a mockery out of Black women, it actually 

shows the diversity among Black women. Point. Blank. Period. Stop projecting your self hate on Black women. Stop trying to police their bodies. Stop trying to place Black women in boxes they don't fit in. Because, as soon as they do conform to what is conventional and traditional they get attacked for that also. They are then accused of trying to be like others, instead of their authentic selves. I guess that would drive someone mentally ill. Black women aren't allowed to live out loud and be carefree, so therefore we try and create safe spaces for our self expression so that we don't run the risk of being beaten down with harmful words. For years we were told that our natural crowns appeared to be clownish aw well. Now we rock our Afros unapologetically. We were told our lips and butts were too big. We were told that our features looked like a circus act, and we were literally put on display at the circus. Now errrybody and they Momma trying to buy what we got. 

So, hey Black girl, keep rocking your bright colors and spreading your magic.Wearing bright colors on your lips does not mean you have some underlying mental health issue. Therefore, continue to wear your bright lipstick and live your life care free and in color. Cause we all know, imitation is to follow and it’s the best form of flattery.  

Pretending doesn't make it go away: MENTAL ILLNESS

“Pretending it doesn’t exist won’t make it go away.”

-Tynee` Sims

I was good at pretending it wasn't there...I guess it would be easier to tell people my mom was diagnosed with cancer, or suffered from congestive heart failure. People can understand cancer. Both cancer and heart disease are damn near celebrated with the many campaigns, fund raising walks and clothing paraphernalia to don.  But I never like to disclose the fact that my mother had been diagnosed as the following: schizophrenic, manic depressive, bi-polar and mentally ill to name a few. But in reality, my mother actually suffered with DEPRESSION.  Maybe in a few years the powers that be will come up with even more labels to make people like my mom feel isolated from society. Fingers crossed!

My beautiful Mother Beverly
She didn't allow Mental Illness to Stop her Shine!

But, really I never knew what to say to people when my mom had an “episode”. Episode is another term we used to describe what my mother was experiencing when she was in a manic-depressive state. I never wanted to share with the world that my Momma was experiencing a psychotic break and her mind decided to drift off and take an extended vacation at an all-expense paid state funded, bottom of the line treatment facility, better known as a psych ward of a hospital. I rarely ever shared anything concerning my Mother’s mental illness, not even my own feelings. I used to just be like, “she’s sick” or “say a prayer for my Momma.” In all honesty I think I was embarrassed to discuss my mother’s condition. Somehow I felt like I would get judged for an illness that medication could not fix. An uncontrollable illness that I do not suffer from, but often makes me become sorely afraid that someday I may be diagnosed with. According to Mental Health America, Most 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 us feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.

Mental Health America also reports that: Most people believe that mental disorders are rare and “happen to someone else." An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. Mental illness is not always easily detected. It’s not always the person with disheveled clothes that has wandering crazy eyes, and is talking out the side of their neck. Sometimes it’s the sweet girl that constantly wears a smile, or the misunderstood kid that has been labeled as a misfit; or maybe it’s the real popular dude who’s always rocking the latest gear. Perhaps it’s the lady that lives down the street whose family no longer comes to visit. It seems as though people are more concerned with the outward appearance of others rather than be concerned with their mental state.

Since May is Mental Illness Awareness Month, let’s stop the stigma associated with mental illness. Let’s stop pretending like it’s not happening. Let’s stop being embarrassed by it. Let’s educate ourselves and love on those who suffer both silently and openly with mental illness. If you or someone you love lives with mental illness don’t be afraid to seek professional help and talk with someone.