Mental Health Stigma In The Black Community & A Mom’s Heartbreaking Journey

Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior & Neurospicy Mama

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**Trigger Warning:** This episode includes discussions about mental health struggles, grief, loss of a child, and thoughts of suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful episode, Alma, an ordained minister, author, stroke survivor, and motivational speaker, joins Amy to share her profound experiences with mental health, grief, and resilience, particularly in the context of the black community.

**Key Points Discussed:**
- Alma's personal journey of surviving a stroke and the tragic loss of her only child.
- The challenges of dealing with mental health within the black community and the black church, where therapy and medication are often stigmatized.
- Alma's advocacy for mental health awareness and breaking the silence that often surrounds these issues in her community.
- How Alma's faith and her role as a minister have intertwined with her own mental health struggles and recovery.
- The therapeutic power of sharing her story and how it has helped her and can aid others in their healing processes.

**Mentioned in This Episode:**
- Alma's reflections on the critical importance of seeking professional help and the benefits of therapy and medication in managing mental health conditions.
- Alma’s inspiring metaphor of the carnival clown, emphasizing resilience and the ability to bounce back from life's challenges.
- The overwhelming community support Alma received after her son's passing, which highlights the incredible power of community in times of grief.

**Alma's Books:**
- Alma discusses her books, including a Bible study book and a personal journal detailing her recovery from a stroke, which are both grounded in her faith and personal experiences.

**Connect with Alma:**
- Follow Alma on Facebook under **[Alma Thomas](#)** or on Instagram at **[@AlmaThomas830](#)**.
- Keep an eye out for her revamped website where her books will soon be available for purchase.

**Support Our Podcast:**
- If you found value in this conversation, please follow **Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior** on your favorite podcast platform.
- Don’t forget to share this episode with friends or anyone who might benefit from Alma’s powerful testimony and insights. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring meaningful content to our listeners.

### Call to Action:
**Connect with Alma:**
- Follow **Alma Thomas** on [Facebook](#) to stay updated on her latest talks and publications.
- Check out her daily inspirations and posts on Instagram at **[@AlmaThomas830](#)**.

**Follow and Support Our Podcast:**
- Please follow **Advancing With Amy / Mental Health Warrior** and share this episode with your network to help spread awareness about mental health challenges and the power of resilience.

Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to support each other in our journeys toward mental wellness. Thank you for listening, and we look forward to bringing you more inspiring episodes.

In today's episode with Alma, we touched on incredibly powerful themes about the struggles and triumphs of mental health, particularly in the context of grief and recovery. If Alma's story resonated with you, or if you find yourself facing similar challenges, remember, you're not alone. Help is just a call or text away. You can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. It's a free resource that connects you to compassionate, trained counselors who are ready to listen and help 24/7. Don't hesitate to reach out—it's okay not to be okay, and seeking help is a courageous step towards healing.

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