We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamia Morrow-Perkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamia below.
Jamia, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. 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.
Br8k Thru Support Services was born after several tragedies. In December 2015 I completed my Master’s degree to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Ready to set the world ablaze tragedy struck in 2016 when my son was being physically assaulted at school, I was laid off from my government job in June, I lost my brother in August, my grandfather in October, and was getting married in December. During this time I fell into a depressed state. I did not want to eat, work…I couldn’t even leave the house. With the help of friends and family, I started seeing a counselor, but it was short-lived as I was ashamed that me being a counselor could not muster the strength to battle my own Depression. After much resistance, I took a position as an Assessor at DXT Therapeutic Services, but I did not want to see any client for counseling because I did not feel ready or up to the challenge while still battling my own issues. It would take me almost a year before I was ready to have a 1 on 1 session with a client and feel confident enough to be the best counselor I could be.
From these tragedies, my passion and purpose were taken up a notch to advocate for people in vulnerable situations and to provide a voice for others who felt hopeless or helpless in their current mental health state. I feel I fell into my passion because I had to, and God had prepared and equipped me with the tools, skills, and knowledge to help not just my son but myself and my family to face grief, depression, and other mental challenges that we would face. I decided I wanted to help as many people as I could, so I decided to build my own practice. Since that time I have prayed, written a book: Hiding in Plain Sight, Living with Depression, obtained licensure in other states (Georgia and Maryland), and now have my own Private Practice and will be opening a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program with my partner in Georgia opening November 2023. I feel I have found my purpose by serving others!
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?
The Br8k Thru Experience invests in your Mind, Body, and Soul! We strive to provide a safe space for individuals to be vulnerable, identify strengths, and utilize those strengths to overcome barriers and past traumas to become the best version of themselves.
As a Mental health counselor, I love educating people on the beauty of who they are. With my workbook: Hiding in Plain Sight: Living with Depression I help people explore and process situations and challenges they face and find a resolution to those issues. With all that I have faced, I wanted to help as many people as I could. In November 2023 I will be opening a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program located at 5701 Mableton Pkwy SW Suite 201 Mableton, GA 30126. We can accept most private insurance and Georgia Medicaid. Our website is br8kthrusupportservices.com. I am also the co-host of a new Podcast with my husband and a TV show titled Da Counselas coming in 2024.
From my past traumas, I needed a self-healing activity an outlet to express my pain and triumphs. I created Br8k Thru Designs, a clothing brand that motivates and builds community. I also provide T-shirt printing options for others looking to have their voice heard by fueling their creativity through streetwear, Our website is www.br8kthrudesigns.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities I feel pushed me through my pain were: 1. Determination: As a single mother at the time I wanted to show my kids that tough times don’t last tough people do and to keep pushing despite what adverseties life throws your way.
2. Self-care: I learned that I have to fight not only for others but for myself as well, I learned that I have to make myself a priority and sometimes take time out just for me to maintain my mental health.
3. Purpose: I learned that even though I may plan out things life will throw a curve ball and force me to question my Faith and Purpose understanding that I should keep my eye on the prize even though challenges may come. Knowing that even a baby step in the right direction is a step closer to my purpose and as long as I stay focused on my purpose all things will align.
I would tell people to never give up on your dream. NEVER allow a penny thinker (a small mindset) to discourage you from your million-dollar idea. Remember YOU were given the vision and it was meant for you to carry it to realization. Also, be YOUR biggest supporter even when the times get tough and you feel like quitting go back to remembering your WHY!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am looking to collaborate with ambitious, creative-thinking individuals in the Mental Health field to create a network of resources to provide the community. I want to build a community of professionals to collectively work together to remove the stigma of mental health, foster a partnership of knowledge, and be a safe space for each other.
I want to be able to create opportunities for individuals enrolled in or coming out of college who need supervision and guidance on their journey.
I can be reached at jamiaLPC@gmail.com or 470-869-2175. My website is www.br8kthrusupportservices.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.br8kthrusupportservices.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebr8kthruexperience
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebr8kthruexperience
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/thebr8kthruexperience
Image Credits
Photographer: Latoya Lashae
