Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life. There are steps each of us can take to better prioritize our emotional, psychological, and social well-being in our professional pursuits.
In this episode of the Creative Monday Discussion Show, host Mervin Budram speaks with Dr. Maurilee Young a Healthcare Program Navigator, and Dr. Laura Friesen, a primary care provider, about their experience in Prioritizing Mental Health in professional pursuits as well as available resources in Belize for those seeking help.
Listen to the audio:
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
- Dr. Maurilee’s educational journey
- Creating a support system
- Maintaining healthy relationships
- Dr. Maurilee’s exposure to principles and lessons of business
- Effective communication in balancing work and personal life
- How your ability to function becomes an indication to seek help
- Recommendation for managing your mental health
- Importance of talking about mental health
- Dr. Maurilee Young expands on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and their mental health
- Dr. Laura Friesen joins sharing on the resources available in Belize and how to access them
- Steps to helping others access help
- Dr. Maurilee stresses on the importance of follow up with persons identified as needing help
TWEETABLE MOMENTS
“If there is anything I learned, I learned how to one, ask for help, two acknowledge that I don’t and can’t do everything despite the task at hand and also that I am to persevere.” (24:16 – 24:36)
“I had to be strong but also acknowledge when I needed help.” (25:22 – 25:27)
“Strong people can be weak.” (25:36 – 25:38)
“Every skill requires practice.” (28:02 – 28:04)
“Despite the workload and sometimes unacceptable conditions you kind of have to remember why you’re there.” (32:48 – 32:54)
“Communicate when you need that break or communicate when you need help from your team. I think that’s essential.” (33:17 – 33:24)
“It starts with identifying that we might not be coping well.” (35:55 – 36:03)
“Mental and spiritual and psychological health and emotional health are very interrelated, and you cannot really deal with on without addressing all of them at some level.” (1:00:40 – 1:00:52)
“I find that when a person who is suffering from mental health finds themselves in an environment where they’re not stigmatized, they tend to have a better outcome.” (1:04:03 – 1:04:15)
About Dr. Maurilee Young
Dr. Maurilee Young was born and raised in Belize. She attained her Associate’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry at St. John’s College in Belize and soon went on to pursue her education in Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Still, on her educational journey Maurilee travel the seas to Jamaica where she earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (or MBBS/MD) and started her professional career as a physician in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. She later returned to Florida to continue her education and later obtained a Masters in Healthcare Management from Florida International University. Dr. Young soon realized that she enjoyed healthcare management and plans to complete her studies with a Ph.D. in the same discipline.
Dr. Young currently works as a Healthcare Program Navigator through the arms of a Family Health Care Center group and is focused on building partnerships with community-based organizations to help reduce identifiable gaps in health access for vulnerable groups. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Broward (in Florida). She is an active member of the Belizean-American diaspora, a full-time caregiver to her mother, and a loving mother to her 4-year old daughter.
Connect with Dr. Maurilee Young:
About Dr. Laura D Friesen
Dr. Laura D Friesen is a medical doctor who graduated from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. She works as a general practitioner at a primary care clinic in Belize City.
Available Mental Health Resource in Belize
Source: Director of BFLA shared with Dr. Maurilee Young
- In Belize, we have moved away from institutionalizing persons, but recommend persons seek help whenever needed by accessing the following resources as necessary:
- Association of Counselor – (social workers and school counselors)
- Mental Health Association – counseling services, Mental Health Drop-in Centers
- Cleopatra White Polyclinic II – counselors
- Port Loyola Health Center – psychiatrist
- Psychiatry Dept at the Western Regional Hospital (inpatient & outpatient)
Source: Dr. Laura D Friesen | Audio recording from the Creative Monday Discussion
