Enact Daily Mental Health Checks

As someone living with severe anxiety disorder, the idea of social distancing is not new to me. I often had to practice social distancing to deal with my disorder. I generally don't enjoy being in large crowds, nor am I a fan of the social pressures to be “on” all the time.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, I have allowed myself to exist in the complexities that make me human. I have leaned on my good and bad days alike to find the lessons that are present in both. I struggled with my anxiety, was challenged by depression, and was tempted by my addictions while still facing the responsibilities of being a father, husband, and business owner.

(Read Quentin's article "7 Ways To Relieve Anxiety During COVID-19" right here)

In order to stay grounded and connected, I carried out a daily family “mental health check” in order to enter into a dialogue with my family about our thoughts and feelings, which has led to more support and understanding for one another, especially in this crisis. Read here what you can do if you live with people who are afraid.

All we have at this time is our humanity, both individually and collectively, and that is what I will continue to focus my attention on for the future.

ANSWER THE CALL

I believe it is important for many of us to question our conventional definition of what is "regular" and what it looks like.

When I was diagnosed, my doctor told me that if I wanted to feel "regular" I would have to take medication for the rest of my life. As a black man in America, my “regular” is full of racism, classism, malformation, dangerous clashes with the police, redlining, etc. I don't need a pill to be “regular”.

It is important for us to take stock of what is “regular” and decide whether to keep it or change it. Regular individuals should not judge based on their religious beliefs, gender identity, or skin color. It should not make victims of sexual assault feel like it is their own fault.

These are the "regulars" to whom we should all pledge not to return. We should use this moment of encouraged silence to individually and collectively do our part to change the narrative from "normal" for the benefit of all of us.

Quentin Vennie is a celebrated wellness expert, motivational speaker, and author of the bestselling book Strong In The Broken Places. His work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MindBodyGreen, and others. Quentin was recognized as one of Black Enterprise magazine's 100 Modern Men of Distinction and by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for his contribution to raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention and as a wellness keynote speaker for Colin Kaepernick's "Know" My Rights "- Camp. Quentin works with youth in underserved communities, helping them understand their traumas and turning them into triumphs, and leads initiatives that make yoga and mindfulness accessible in communities and populations that are normally inaccessible.

Find out more about Quentin on his website, on Facebook and on Instagram.