Minority Mental Health Advocate: Tiffany Shivers

"It is our time to change the narrative of what mental health looks like in our community." -Tiffany

Tell us about the work you do and how you got started.

I started Crown of Courage after I went through a bad battle with depression. One thing that helped me during that time was being able to share my story with a group of women who looked like me and had similar experiences with mental health. With Crown of Courage, I aim to recreate the support I experienced by creating safe spaces where black women and girls can speak openly and honestly about emotional wellness as it relates to our community.

Why does minority mental health matter to you?

I have seen the effects of untreated mental health in my life and in the black community. As minorities, it is undeniable that we have been exposed to so much generational and present day trauma. I believe our community has to learn how to heal. It is our time to change the narrative of what mental health looks like in our community and make emotional wellness a priority. I believe that if we can successfully do this then we can change the trajectory of our future generations.

What would you tell your younger self?

If I could, I would tell my younger self to listen to your body, know your triggers, and don’t let your disorder consume you. Now that I am more educated about depression and anxiety, I am able to feel when I am headed down a dark path and make the necessary strides to get myself back on track. Becoming educated about my disorders and being open about what I am experiencing has made a world of difference.