Last year our community lost a dear friend and close colleague. She was vibrant and beautiful, there were no signs, and no note was found which left us with unanswered questions and a deep sadness. Her light, a loss to many, is missed daily. I’ve been asked how this could happen to someone who appeared to be so happy. Mental illness is prevalent,  has no type or race, its symptoms often go undetected an, in fact statistics show that women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. I myself suffer from anxiety but chose to get help and I’m here to show an example of how treatment works with self-care. But unfortunately it’s nearly always left untreated due the stigma placed on mental health. 

 

    In fact, just before the pandemic hit, in Charlotte, N.C., the mental health crisis was hidden, effecting 1 in every 3 persons. They were experiencing some form of depression or anxiety and self medicating rather than getting treatment due fear of being labeled and outcast from the stigmas of mental health which leads self-treatment where one medicates with drugs, alcohol, shopping, gambling, and/or food.  Presently in the face of the lockdown, national suicide, domestic violence, and overdose rates have soared!  

 

     Based on these stats it can be deduced that self-medicating with drugs and alcohol has more than likely contributed to the opioid epidemic and medicating with food may be a significant cause of our nation’s  obesity, cardiovascular, and diabetes issues that tax our health care system.   In addition, the human body is being pushed beyond limits as well, in fact, by the next 10 years it is estimated that over 50% of all adults in this nation will be obese, which is a clear example of the correlation between mental health & healing. 

 

     Everyone please hear me, this prediction should cause alarm, it’s appalling to me as a health professional, it simply is not acceptable especially for an illness that can be prevented to go unchecked, and I pledge to do everything in my power to help change those statistics. 

 

    In fact, over the past 35 years as a health professional my mission has been to increase health awareness and change the lives of each individual who I work with and now with my titles I have an unique opportunity to make a greater impact for my platform, and get my message heard by raising mass awareness that no one should feel ashamed about seeking help and taking care of their mental health.  

 

'My platform is to help end the stigma of mental health,  and I believe that with your help we make a stronger impact & powerful change!  Won’t you help me SPREAD THE WORD and BE HEARD...…. MENTAL HEALTH is no longer a shamed word!!!   #NoStigma

                                                                                                                                                                                 - Antoinette King, PhD

National Ms. Elite  America's United States

National USA Royal Ms. 2021

Ms. Central Carolina Elite 2020

​

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​