Exploring Mental Health: A Journey of Healing- Icess Fernandez Rojas
Transforming Lives Panel Podcast
| Sharmin and Mitzy | Rating 0 (0) (0) |
| Launched: May 22, 2024 | |
| info@tlpod.com | Season: 1 Episode: 18 |
Drawing from the insightful conversation with Award Winning Author Icess Fernandez Rojas, it is evident that fostering open discussions about mental health is crucial. Isis' vulnerability in sharing her personal struggles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation challenges the stigma surrounding these issues and encourages others to seek support.
A key takeaway from Isis' journey is the importance of self-awareness and recognizing triggers. By developing personalized coping strategies, such as breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and practicing gratitude, individuals can better navigate difficult moments. Isis's anecdote about being triggered at the post office and employing her toolkit exemplifies the empowering nature of having these tools.
Cultural and societal norms can often hinder conversations about mental health. Isis highlights the need to challenge ingrained beliefs and stereotypes that may discourage seeking professional help or open discussions. Her insights on distinguishing between clinical, situational, and seasonal depression underscore the significance of proper medical assessments and support.
Furthermore, Isis' literary work serves as a powerful platform to destigmatize mental health discussions. Her debut poetry collection, "The Opposite of Breeding in Cement," delves into themes of healing, identity, and mental health, inviting readers to explore these topics through the lens of her lived experiences. By sharing her journey through writing, Isis aims to create a space for open dialogue and understanding.
Ultimately, Isis' message is one of hope – that by acknowledging and naming our mental health challenges, we can begin to exert control over them. Her advice to seek help when something feels wrong resonates as a call to action, encouraging individuals to prioritize their well-being and embark on a path towards healing and self-discovery.
Sharmin Prince Host
Self–Discovery Coach, Entrepreneur, Gender Based Violence & Gender Equality Changemaker.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharminVanPrince
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Mitzy Dadoun Host
Travel, Insurance, Seniors, Teens, Spirituality, Manifestation, Gratitude, Business, Real Estate, author of 6 books
http://www.wealthcreationconcepts.com/
http://www.smartseniorsrealty.com/
https://mdsocialsavvy.com/home
https://mitzydadoun.wearelegalshield.ca/
https://www.loveitreviews.com/
Icess Fernandez Rojas
https://icessfernandez.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WritingToInsanity/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/icessfernandez/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Writin2insanity
**Connect with Us:**
- Follow the Transforming Lives panel podcast for more episodes featuring inspiring guests and transformative stories.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHpiH1ROjGb8qP9MqAAFVQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578282042447
**Disclaimer:**
- The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast.
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Episode Chapters
Drawing from the insightful conversation with Award Winning Author Icess Fernandez Rojas, it is evident that fostering open discussions about mental health is crucial. Isis' vulnerability in sharing her personal struggles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation challenges the stigma surrounding these issues and encourages others to seek support.
A key takeaway from Isis' journey is the importance of self-awareness and recognizing triggers. By developing personalized coping strategies, such as breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and practicing gratitude, individuals can better navigate difficult moments. Isis's anecdote about being triggered at the post office and employing her toolkit exemplifies the empowering nature of having these tools.
Cultural and societal norms can often hinder conversations about mental health. Isis highlights the need to challenge ingrained beliefs and stereotypes that may discourage seeking professional help or open discussions. Her insights on distinguishing between clinical, situational, and seasonal depression underscore the significance of proper medical assessments and support.
Furthermore, Isis' literary work serves as a powerful platform to destigmatize mental health discussions. Her debut poetry collection, "The Opposite of Breeding in Cement," delves into themes of healing, identity, and mental health, inviting readers to explore these topics through the lens of her lived experiences. By sharing her journey through writing, Isis aims to create a space for open dialogue and understanding.
Ultimately, Isis' message is one of hope – that by acknowledging and naming our mental health challenges, we can begin to exert control over them. Her advice to seek help when something feels wrong resonates as a call to action, encouraging individuals to prioritize their well-being and embark on a path towards healing and self-discovery.
Sharmin Prince Host
Self–Discovery Coach, Entrepreneur, Gender Based Violence & Gender Equality Changemaker.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharminVanPrince
https://www.facebook.com/eaglessoarN413805Y
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088212
X: https://twitter.com/SharminPrince
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharminprince/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eagles-empowered-to-soar-inc-eets
Website: https://www.sharminprince.utobo.com
https:www.eaglessoar.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eagles_soar_inc/
https://www.instagram.com/sharmin_vp/
Mitzy Dadoun Host
Travel, Insurance, Seniors, Teens, Spirituality, Manifestation, Gratitude, Business, Real Estate, author of 6 books
http://www.wealthcreationconcepts.com/
http://www.smartseniorsrealty.com/
https://mdsocialsavvy.com/home
https://mitzydadoun.wearelegalshield.ca/
https://www.loveitreviews.com/
Icess Fernandez Rojas
https://icessfernandez.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WritingToInsanity/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/icessfernandez/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Writin2insanity
**Connect with Us:**
- Follow the Transforming Lives panel podcast for more episodes featuring inspiring guests and transformative stories.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHpiH1ROjGb8qP9MqAAFVQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578282042447
**Disclaimer:**
- The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast.
00:06 - 10:09
- The podcast episode features host Sharmin, co-host Mitzy, and guest ISIS Fernandez-Ruaz
- ISIS is a celebrated writer and educator with a focus on mental health in her literary work
- She discusses the healing and lightness that can come from mental illness and trauma
- Her work explores the intersection of mental health, identity, and culture
- ISIS is open about her own struggles with anxiety and depression to help normalize mental health discussions and reduce stigma
09:58 - 19:58
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of talking about mental health to understand and identify depression and suicidal tendencies in loved ones
- They share their experience with panic attacks and the importance of seeking help and therapy
- Encourages those from Latino and Caribbean cultures to seek help for mental health issues, even if it means seeking help outside of their family or cultural circle
- Discusses the physical and emotional differences between feeling tired, sad, and depressed, and the importance of paying attention to thoughts and feelings for suicide ideation
19:57 - 29:57
- The speaker discusses negative thoughts and triggers that cause anxiety
- They emphasize the importance of paying attention to self-attacks and triggers
- The speaker shares their experience of being triggered at the post office and how they used breathing exercises and grounding techniques to cope
- They explain that triggers can be unpredictable and difficult to control
- The speaker advises on how to recognize signs of anxiety and how to support someone who is triggered, emphasizing the importance of giving them space to cope.
29:55 - 40:03
- The speaker discusses the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions triggered by past trauma
- They mention the use of cognitive behavior therapy as a helpful tool for retraining the mind
- The speaker shares personal experiences of being triggered in public and the strategies they use to cope, such as grounding techniques and therapy
- They also reflect on signs of anxiety and panic attacks that may have been present before the actual episodes occurred
39:55 - 49:02
- The speaker discusses her realization of feeling like a "hot mess" despite being impressive on paper
- She attributes her anxiety and pressure to societal and cultural expectations of being the first in her family to go to college and the need to be successful
- She discusses the difference between situational and clinical depression and the importance of getting proper medical care
- The speaker talks about her journey into the literary space and where to find her work
- She shares advice on dealing with anxiety and panic attacks, emphasizing the importance of self-care and grounding techniques
