Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.    

Episode: 033 “Stomping the Stigma of Mental Health”             

Airdate: September 22, 2021

Length: 54:45

Guests: DeShun Radcliff

It is always sacred space when someone is vulnerable enough to be transparent and share their journey with others. That is not something to take lightly. Mrs. DeShun Radcliff does just that, she invites us into a sacred space to hear her struggle and continued victories over depression. She is the founder of the “Stigma Stomping” Brand where she hopes to encourage people to not be afraid to talk about their mental health struggles.

In this episode Mrs. Radcliff discusses what inspired her to become an advocate in this area. Between her own battle and her daughter’s, she has learned a great deal about noticing and attending to the signs. She acknowledges her mistakes as a mother, yet she is committed, as a mother, to not allow those mistakes to keep her from nurturing and championing her daughter as she allows others to champion her.

This episode is vital for parents. She shares practical steps to consider if there is a child fighting this battle. She is also honest about the role the church has played historically in her silence and what she ought to do moving forward to shepherd people through mental health concerns. The stigma around mental health has been perpetuated by the church, but this is a time for redemption. She is real. She is passionate. She is wise. Listen to her wisdom and accept her challenge to not be afraid of the stigmas. 

Here are some resources for anyone needing help for themselves or a loved one.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline    1 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line          Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention   1 888-333-AFSP (2377)

SAMHSA’s National helpline   1 800 662 HELP (4357) a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.

Mental Health

https://nami.org/Home

Sexual Abuse and Incest

https://www.rainn.org/

Domestic Violence

https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/

Support for LGBTQ+ Youth

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Black Mental Health 

https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-and-african-american-communities-and-mental-health

NAMI Latinx Mental Health:

https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Hispanic-Latinx

Asian Mental Health : 

https://www.asianmhc.org/resource 

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.