We were lucky to catch up with Bethany James recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bethany, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
. I have overcome and persisted through mental health challenges by transforming my pain into purpose and my struggles into written form. As a Black woman navigating schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and seasons of emotional exhaustion, I have turned to faith, creativity, and community as lifelines—not just to survive, but to truly heal.
I openly acknowledge that mental health is both a personal and universal battleground. I have confronted internalized silence, emotional masking, and the stigma surrounding mental illness in society. Rather than deny my reality, I leaned into it—treating my mental wellness as sacred.
Poetry became my primary tool for survival and healing. Writing allowed me to process grief, trauma, heartbreak, and existential fear—giving voice to emotions that once lived in silence. My books, including The Big Game: Spirituality and Love, stand as evidence of my resilience, offering transparency and encouragement. For me, each poem is a prayer, a confession, and a lens into my faith journey.
My faith empowers me to endure mental illness and encourage others. I often write about waiting seasons, divine timing, and trusting God while healing. Pieces like “Waiting and Sowing in the Meanwhile” reflect how I clung to hope even when life’s forward motion was slow and imperfect. My spiritual walk helps me resist shame, rest in grace, and reclaim my joy piece by piece.
I now use my platform to advocate for mental health—especially among Black women—through journals, storyboards, workshops, and devotional poetry. I don’t preach perfection; I model persistence. My vulnerability gives others permission to feel, rest, and thrive.
I have turned my mental health journey into a sacred mission. Through poetry, prayer, and persistent faith, I continue to heal aloud—so others know they’re not alone. I didn’t just overcome my struggles; I wove them into my calling.
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?
Website:
https://linktr.ee/TheBigGamePoetryCollection
1 All Author Profile
https://allauthor.com/page/poetessbcj
2 Married to Navy Counseling Services (Guest Blog) – “The Road to Recovery”
3 HUG Artist Portfolio
Poetess https://hug.art/artists/CassonadePoetess/portfolio
Newest projects/ Connect with me:
www.facebook.com/thebiggameremastered
IG: www.instagram.com/writethevisionboards
Good reads:
www.goodreads.com/mymastersministry
Mental Health Writer & Poetess | Brand Ambassador | Muse for Christ | Pro Blogger | Published Author
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
✨ Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey most were spiritual discernment, emotional resilience, and creative vision. My relationship with God has always been the compass—guiding not just what I create, but why I create. Discernment taught me to honor the whispers of the Holy Spirit, especially when the world was too loud to hear myself think. Healing is holy. Listening is obedience.
💭 Living with schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety required me to build a kind of strength that isn’t always seen—but always felt. Resilience didn’t mean performing wellness; it meant pausing without guilt, resting as resistance, and learning to keep faith even in emotional fog. If you’re in a valley, know this: your softness is not weakness, it’s soil.
📝 My voice got stronger when I finished something. A poem. A book. A prayer journal. The Big Game: Spirituality and Love wasn’t just a title—it was proof that pain and purpose could share the same page. To those early in your journey: start with one thing. Finish it. Share it. Your voice is already valuable. You just need to believe it’s also vital. #CommandedToHeal #SpiritualCreatives #PoetessBethanyCamilleJames
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The most impactful book I would say of all times would be The Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren.
It doesn’t just tell you to “live on purpose”—it shows you how to align your daily life with eternal meaning. Pastor Rick Warren breaks down complex spiritual truths into 40 clear, devotional-style days that walk readers from identity to destiny. This book doesn’t flatter your ego; it repositions your soul. It reminds you that your existence isn’t accidental—it’s intentional, God-authored, and kingdom-assigned. For someone navigating pain, healing, or calling—like myself —this book anchors in the heart of God.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheBigGamePoetryCollection
- Instagram: www.instgram.com/writethevisionboards
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymastersministryofficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-james-39baa7370?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
The headshot with quote:
Sephora
MUA
Dan
@faceitbeautymarks
JCPenney studios
Countryside mall, Clearwater, Florida
Est. 2018
Hair/Outfit:
Aquanita James
Special thanks to Jennifer Dodson and Family.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
