Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raquel Johnson & Stephanie Hockaday. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Raquel Johnson & Stephanie Hockaday thank you so much for joining us. You two are such positive influencers and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you two where you think your optimism comes from?
Change is inevitable, and with time we have seen great strides in the African American Community and how ability to prosper regardless of systematic racism and stresses. Our personal influences, community connections and lengthy years working in law enforcement and the counseling arena simultaneously has prepared us to dismantle systematic racism. Indeed, our community connections motivate and provide us with continued incitement. Our community sets the tone for our community-based philanthropy. Philanthropy as defined by Essential Wellness means love of mankind, with an emphasis on the black culture. We are pleased to say that our community supports us, because we put them first and implement harm reduction and behavior health equity for all. We will continue to be optimistic, because we have witnessed countless black queens and kings pave the way for us.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Raquel Johnson, and Stephanie Hockaday are the two business owners of Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program, LLC and considering the recent spotlight that has been placed on Baltimore City due to the issues surrounding police misconduct associated with Freddie Gray, and the HBO series “We Own the City.” Ms. Johnson decided to pitch an idea to Ms. Hockaday, during a girls’ night out. Ms. Johnson shared her experience of work-related training and the need for ongoing mental health treatment for Law Enforcement Officers. Therefore, we decided to change the narrative for the city we cherish by creating a therapeutic and holistic program for Law Enforcement Agencies within our City. This mission is meaningful to us because we both were raised in Baltimore City and value Baltimore, despite some of the bad reputation that Baltimore receives. In addition, both owners of Essential Wellness have firsthand experience working within Law Enforcement and the Counseling Arena. Enlight of the Consent Decree, which was implemented in 2016 to ensure constitutional policing, Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program, LLC is addressing criminal justice reform by providing educational solutions through therapy to Law Enforcement Agencies within Baltimore City and surrounding counties throughout the State of Maryland.
Our goal is to address the mental health instability of local law enforcement officers so that there is a noticeable decrease in suicide, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and domestic violence; as well as supporting law enforcement officers in developing healthy and supportive relationships in the community. Our unique selling point is our focus on mental health and substance abuse services specifically tailored to public servants. Our target audience includes both non-essential and essential members of local law enforcement, specifically those working in Baltimore City.
The Essential Wellness Program for Law Enforcement will offer a range of services such as trauma-informed care, mental health therapy, substance abuse counseling, physical wellness (meditation and yoga), and Community Engagement Actualization Training. Incorporating these educational solutions will help improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of law enforcement officers as well as promote the development of healthy bilateral relationships with the community and reduce misconduct.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking, back there is only one quality that has been impactful on our journey and that is maintaining a friendship that could withstand the stress of a start up. People tend to say, “don’t go into business with friends” and we like to think inversely. Just look at Apple and Google – founded by friends and now they are two of the most winning companies in the world. We’re not necessarily saying that everyone should go into business with friends, but there are some success stories that created prosperous business ventures, while preserving friendships. Our resilient friendship, trials, tribulations, and leaning on one another keeps our self-confidence high, binds our loyalty, aids in our effective communication amongst one another, strengthens our sisterly bond and it motivates us to uplift Baltimore. We are twin flames in reference to our friendship and we understand that sometimes Soul mates come in friend versions as well. All lasting business is built on friendship.
“One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.” — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Our number one obstacle is that the program is relatively new and may need more positive brand recognition due to the recent spotlight that has been placed on Baltimore City due to the issues surrounding police misconduct associated with Freddie Gray and the HBO series “We Own the City.” The Negative media influence due to recent media exposure of police misconduct and brutality has catered to the stigma surrounding mental health for officers. These challenges are particularly relevant in the current climate of increased scrutiny of law enforcement practices and call for police reform. Addressing the mental health and well-being of law enforcement officials and improving their training and education are critical steps in building trust and improving outcomes for law enforcement and the communities they serve.
To help abolish unethical behaviors and wrong doings Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program will administer holistic therapy, substance abuse counseling, meditation and yoga, along with community engagement training and de-escalation techniques such as verbal and nonverbal supports used to create new and positive proceedings, enhance situational mindfulness, conduct proper policing assessments, and improve decision-making skills to reduce the possibility of any police misconduct. Applying these techniques should safeguard community interactions and policing.
The program’s vision aims to assist the Maryland legislation along with Law Enforcement Entities with their new age approach of implementing police reform within the State of Maryland.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brand.page/EssentialWellnesstpllc
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/essentialwellnesstpllc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hockaday-and-raquel-johnson-194963275/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/esswelltherapy
