Protect Your Mental Health

Victim Mr. Robert Godwin Sr.

Protect your mental health,  those were the exact words that a co-worker , a Social Worker, told a group of us one day 16 years ago.  I can't remember the exact topic, but it was surrounding a tragedy similar to the killing of Mr. Robert Godwin Sr.  Mr. Godwin was allegedly shot and killed by Steve Stephens on Easter Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.  This gruesome event was viewed on Facebook live.  The victim was a 74 year old father of 10.  The killer chose a random person walking down the street and then took his life.  He apparently asked the victim to say his ex-girlfriends name ( the shooters ex-girlfriends name). The shooter was reportedly upset about his past relationship with his ex, and also for having filed bankruptcy recently.  I was shocked to learn that he was a case manager himself at a behavioral health facility!

I immediately prayed for the victims family.  I felt so bad that this type of an act could be done against another human being.  The victim, Robert Godwin Sr. didn't deserve that.  When I saw the initial part of the video clip of Mr. Robert Godwin, I saw him as my dad.  My dad is older and frail and vulnerable and I felt so sad for his family. Today the news reported that Steve Stephens, the killer,  shot himself in the head when surrounded by police.  I had so many thoughts and questions race through my mind.

Why would he kill someone?
Where were his moral values?
Did he seek counseling?
What made him snap?

The bottom line is, there are so many questions that may not be fully answered. He was an educated case manager and was dealing with losses both financially and in his relationships with his ex.  It made me remember the conversation that myself  a Speech Language Pathologist and a team of co-workers, including a Psychologist, Social Worker, and Nurse had one day in between evaluating students.  That day we talked about how important it is to do things to protect your mental health.  We talked about how getting counseling when needed, eating healthy, exercising, and having a support group is important to maintaining emotional well being.  There's such a stigma related to mental health, an even more so in the African American Community.  My husband is a Psychologist and we openly encourage family and friends to seek counseling, as I will go in a second if I need advice about an issue or concern.  It allows you to get advice without subjective judgment.

Remember that mental health is just as important as physical health.  Don't neglect either.  Exercise, pray, seek counseling.  I frequently think of that conversation at work 16 years ago.

My co-workers words will never be forgotten: "Protect Your Mental Health".

How do you maintain balance and protect your mental health?

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