Quite honestly, these days, not many people or things are sweeter. My safe space of vulnerability is within. I hope you find your safe place. Elevation requires separation.
My solitude era. 🤍
Tag: Mental Health
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Happy 31 years, FMLA!
President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into law on February 5, 1993. The FMLA was a key part of Clinton’s first-term domestic agenda.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that gives eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain family and medical reasons. The FMLA also requires that employees’ group health benefits be maintained during their leave.
The FMLA gives eligible employees the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. The law also allows employees to continue their group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if they had not taken leave.
“Having FMLA cover my absences for severe anxiety and depression has been life-saving. It provides a layer of protection as it pertains to my job security and, overall, allows me to freely stabilize my mental health while maintaining my employment. It’s truly a win-win.”
The FMLA is administered by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor.
Living with Bipolar Disorder 🎭
A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
“I’m not weird, just limited edition.” I told myself after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2016. Although I seemed confident in this moment, I wasn’t. I had mastered the art of faking it.
In reality, this was actually a plea of distress to the world: “Please be gentle with me, I’m not at my best and not fully here. I never will be.”
Fast forward to present day 2024. I am now able to live a full, stable, and rewarding life.
My treatment plan:
✨️ Medication: 100 mg of Zoloft (Sertraline) antidepressant and mood stabilizer
✨️ Medication: 50 mg of Seroquel (Quetiapine) antipsychotic and sleeping aid
✨️ bi-weekly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
✨️ bi-weekly group talk therapy
I’ve partnered with HELPGUIDE.ORG and Verywell Health to assist with recommendations on coping with Bipolar Disorder. We recommend working with your psychiatrist to find the best treatment plan to help manage your Bipolar Disorder.
I know you may be afraid or even in denial. I’m here to assure you that there is hope and that hope will indeed lead you to the light. You just have to walk towards it.
I love you and am rooting for you every step!
99 lbs vs. 175 lbs
Mental instability vs. Mental stability
Yes, mental stability correlates to physical health.
Meet Officer Kevin Briggs 👑
In 2005, Officer Kevin Briggs prevented a 22 year old man named Kevin Berthia from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. They spent 92 minutes together talking, which ultimately saved Kevin’s life.
A decade later, they reunited under the same bridge, this time under better circumstances.
Kevin Briggs has prevented over 200 people from jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Thank you Officer Kevin Briggs for being a hero in so many ways. 👑
Bravo Kevin Berthia for turning your pain into purpose. 👑
Psychiatric Care Boxes 🦋
Boxes filled with care items for underprivileged psychiatric hospitals.
May 24th, 2019. A day I’ll never forget. A day I remember vividly. The day I attempted suicide.
At this point in my life, my mental capacity had completely deteriorated. My heart rate consistently ran 164 BPM, I was going through psychosis and most days, I slept in my bedroom with the curtains closed, hoping to fade away. On the outside, I seemed fine, but the inside told a very different story.
I wanted to take my life.
I would end up spending 10 days in Auburn Hills, Michigan, at Havenwyck Hospital for in-patient mental health treatment. My stay at the psychiatric hospital was very fulfilling, but as they were helping me, I was thinking about how I could return and help them.
Havenwyck, although doing their very best, was an underprivileged psychiatric hospital. Necessity items were in short supply, and the demand and need were growing increasingly.
Four years later, I’ve decided to pay it forward.
Introducing Psychiatric Care Boxes! 🦋 These are boxes filled with care items for underprivileged psychiatric hospitals such as Havenwyck. Last year, I donated to Havenwyck Hospital, so this year, I’m choosing StoneCrest Center! It’s located right here in Detroit!
I am excited to continue serving God’s people through my philanthropy efforts, and I hope you will join me!
Lean in and contribute here! 🎀
Out of the Darkness – Metro Detroit Walk
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
Event Details:
Date: 10/07/2023
Location: Downtown Ferndale: 9 mile and Bermuda St., Ferndale, MI
Check-in Time: 8:00 am
Walk Start Time: 10:00 am
See you there!
xoxo, Sonique 🫶🏼
Two parting words: I survived.
Two parting words: I survived. 🩷
#suicidesurvivor ;
#suicideprevention 🚫
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline ☀️
Mental Health Monday: Suicide Survivor
Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness yet still become something beautiful.
– Beau Taplin
Tall, red sh♥️t, yeah, she inspire me. -Young Thug
Sonique Louise Foundation 