Psychotherapist, poet, and writer Minaa B started her Instagram account as a way to share her poetry and musings. As someone who has overcome bullying, self-harm, suicidality, and depression, she wanted to help others heal too. That was before COVID. In the months following the global pandemic, Minaa’s Instagram presence and community have exploded. The message is clear, people are hurting, and people are yearning for a safe community that says, "Me too."
In this episode, Minaa and I talk about coming from immigrant families and finding our identities, grieving the deaths of our parents, overcoming bullying, and healing from self-harm. Minaa shares how she has learned to be seen and how she is using her voice so that others may heal too.
Goodies from this Episode:
Connect with Minaa: https://www.instagram.com/minaa_b/
Read Minaa’s book: Rivers Are Coming: A Collection of Essays And Poems On Healing From Depression and Trauma - https://www.minaab.com/riversarecoming
Learn more about Minaa’s work: https://www.minaab.com/
Mental health resources mentioned on the show:
NAIMI: https://www.nami.org/help
Mental Health Gov: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
Looking for mental health resources? Check out: www.illgofirst.com/find-help
Listen to more episodes at: www.illgofirst.com/stories
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Jessica Minhas, host and founder of I'll Go First®, dives into the topics and conversations that we want to have but are a little afraid to talk about or aren't sure where to start. Celebrate the stories of courageous overcomers, inspiring mental health champions, and those boldly stepping into taboo spaces and inviting us into a full life. Listen, learn, and heal with people just like us who look adversity in the eye and say, “I will not stand down. I'll go first.”