Potluck Episode: Let's Talk J. Cole, Kanye, Charlamagne, Therapy, Being Biracial & Suicide with Jessica Gaddy

In this potluck episode, Kea dives into a lot from hip-hop and mental health where she discusses J.Cole, Charlamagne and Kanye West. Oh yes, it's about to go down!Kea also interviews social worker and Nia Noire founder Jessica Gaddy. Jessica shares her experience with being biracial (Asian and Black), battling suicide ideation, overcoming her fear of seeking treatment as a mental health professional and so much more. Jessica Gaddy, LGSW is a licensed social worker, millennial, and minority mental health advocate. Jessica has over 10 years of mental health experience through her education, professional employment, and lived experiences. From the age of 15, Jessica battled with major depressive disorder. In search of self-understanding, Jessica studied psychology and human behavior earning a Bachelors of Arts from the California State University, San Bernardino. Her experiences became the platform for her passion in mental health and advocacy, leading her to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.Propelled by her frustration with the stigmatization of mental illness in her African American community, Jessica used her clinical background to develop Nia Noire, a mental health support organization for women of color to educate, empower, and support one another through their wellness journeys. She passionately believes in the power of vulnerability and the strength of community, using these two tenets as the foundation of Nia Noire. Jessica's notable work with Nia Noire has led to features in prominent news outlets such as Huffington Post's "10 Black Female Therapists You Should Know."Jessica hopes that one day, mental health will be a household conversation and psychotherapy will be a standard regime to healthcare practices, but until then, she works tirelessly to encourage others that "it is okay to not be okay."In the mind, body and soulness segment, Kea talks about what we can do for Mental Health Awareness Month. References/Resources:Nia Noire’s Websitehttps://www.nianoire.com/What We Should Also Consider About Kanye’s Comment “Slavery Was A Choice”https://themighty.com/2018/05/kanye-west-slavery-choice-black-community-mental-illness/ Therapist Shout-out: Hearts In Mind Counseling (located in Germantown, Maryland)http://www.heartsinmindcounseling.com/