We recently connected with Lakesha Harrison and have shared our conversation below.
Lakesha , 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.
My mental health issues have been a long journey. A journey I would not trade because it has made me the woman of faith, the wife, the mother, the entrepreneur, and friend that I am today. I was a teen mother I had my first child at 17 and my second at 18. When I was about six months pregnant my children’s father was arrested and eventually sentenced to 25 years in prison. I suffered with post partum depression with my son at 18 when I really had no idea what that even meant. I gave birth surrounded by family but because the father wasn’t there I felt alone in a room full of people. The next 3 years were filled with confusion and self inflicted hardships. At 21 I met the man that I would fall in love with and marry. 3 months into our relationship I had a breakdown attempted suicide and was hospitalized. At this point I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder. At first this was hard to accept even though there is a family history of mental illness. I took medication that made me feel like a zombie. I thought how can I be a mother and functioning human like this. It took about seven months to accept my diagnosis. Once I did I informed the doctor I do not want to take medication for the rest of my life. I wanted to learn coping mechanisms, change my diet anything that I could do to not have to take medication. This worked for 10 years. Then my 16 year old son ran away and I realized I cant do this without extra help, that help had to be medication. I was so grateful for the support of my family and my therapist that helped me see there is absolutely nothing wrong with medication. It does not make you a weak person. I actually find it gives me strength. Although I am still dealing with the trauma of being a teen mother who’s children’s father went to prison, feeling like I failed my kids because I wasn’t aware of who I was with. Through therapy and accepting my diagnosis I have learned to forgive myself, apologize to my children, appreciate my husband the man that raised my kids with me and gave me two more amazing children. I have learned to realize my triggers, remove myself from unhealthy situations and do things that fulfill my spirit. I am not ashamed of living and thriving with Bi-Polar Disorder. I am not ashamed of taking medication to help control my mood. I am not ashamed of going to therapy weekly. My mental health challenges have taught me to live in my truth and to advocate for those that may not feel heard or comfortable admitting their diagnosis. Although some may feel it is no one else’s business I pray for the day where there is no stigma on mental health issues and through my new podcast I hope to create that space.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I work in the mental health field during the day and in the evenings I work on my two podcasts and clothing line Upscale Hippie. My first podcast is Kesh No Chaser. My husband Tee is my co-host and we discuss relationships, pop culture and mental health. We have a lot of fun and I also conduct interviews on important topics. Some interviews that will always stick with me from my first season, are a domestic violence interview I conducted with a very beautiful soul that is a true survivor, as well as my interview with Author Larry Smith III. He wrote an incredible book titled The Other Side of Ecstasy and there is a movie coming as well. I interviewed my best friend of 20 years Twila Destouet, who is a Registered Nurse and owns a microblading business, tax business and body sculpting business. I have also began recording a True Crime Podcast with my husband and my oldest daughter Kayla Marii. My passion for true crime runs just as deep as my passion for mental health advocacy. I want to tell the stories that the media over looks or just refuses to cover. The stories of black, brown, LGBTQIA and people in poverty. I gain a lot of inspiration and have the utmost respect and love for Taz and MaRah of Sistas Who Kill. Black True Crime Podcast is also an amazing listen, I just Iove those sisters. There are just so many woman out here really doing their thing in the podcast entertainment industry, self made and I am all here for it. I want to give flowers to us all. We all have a story and on my platform I want to tell others stories because you never know whom your story may help. I am also one of the administrators of a Facebook group called Empowering Women. This group helps provide resources to victims of domestic violence, women with children, as well as women in need. Eventually we want this to lead to us opening a non profit women’s center. I am so blessed in this life to have gone through the things that I have survived I tell myself if I am not helping why am I here? What am I doing if I can not be the helping hand that someone has been to me?
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?
The three most important qualities that I would advise anyone wanting to start a podcast or business would be time management, communication skills, and self care for your mental health. Due to the way that Bi-polar disorder affects my life I have to have a schedule and strict time management skills in order to accomplish my goals. I am an avid reader this helps me communicate effectively. I encourage everyone to read if not a book a week at least one a month. Reading is just so imperative I can not express that enough. Self care because you can not accomplish anything if you do not pour into and pamper yourself. Take care of your mind and your body. Pray, meditate, yoga, work out, take bubble baths, get massages, drive in your car and listen to Kesh No Chaser! Seriously though do something for yourself that makes you feel good. Surround yourself with people that uplift you and want to see you win. Women or men that you start business’ with and educate each other.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents have supported me through every thing I have been through. When I found out I was pregnant at sixteen my mother and father rallied around me instead of turning their backs on me. I know they were in shock but they never allowed it to effect our relationship. Then when it happened again at seventeen they were even more supportive. They let me know I was not alone. When I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder my mother joined the support group NAMI she helped me find resources, she went to psychologist appointments with me, therapy appoints. She watched my children through my manic and depressive episodes, so that my husband could care for me. My parents have rallied around me and showed me so much love. When my mom and I do not know what to say we pray together. My father has always shown me what a fathers love should be. When I need advice and a fathers love he is always there. My parents are my foundation. They are the reason I can be the wife and mother that I am today. Most importantly my parents support my dreams and I love them for that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: premierbeauty2018
- Facebook: Empowering Women
- Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lakesha-harrison apple podcast Kesh No Chaser
Image Credits
Big Reputation media Wood802boi
