GIFFORD — Cheryl Campbell wants youth to know that they shouldn’t feel ashamed for seeking help if they’re having a mental health crisis. Campbell, who recalled being bullied as a young girl, said her way of escaping the hurtful taunts from school peers was when she came home after school every day to a nurturing environment with her family.
Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Cheryl Campbell speaks to youth during the Black Family Wellness Expo on March 2, 2024 at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
“I was able to escape it, but I knew when I got back on that school bus, it was going to start right back up again,” said Campbell, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Campbell made the comments earlier this month as she spoke to a room of children and teens at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center. “That’s what bullying is all about.”
Anyone experiencing a mental or behavioral health challenge should call 988, a suicide prevention and crisis hotline that provides access to counselors nearby, Campbell said.
“Dial those three numbers. There will be a counselor on the other end of that call that will talk to you about the challenges you’re having,” Campell said of the 24/7 hotline. “If you think you have a friend or family member that’s struggling, call that number and see if you can get information for that person so you can help them.”
Campbell spoke on March 2 during the Linking Together Against Syndrome X – Black Family Wellness Expo. The Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, along with the Indian River County NAACP Health Committee, co-organized the event.
The expo featured a variety of panelists – including physicians, podiatrists, pediatric dentists, pharmacists, real estate developers and financial experts. The speakers highlighted three aspects of health and wellness – physical, mental and financial – and how they are intertwined.
Mental Health and Wellness
Campbell is the first woman to serve as assistant secretary for administration and the first minority to work in that capacity, according to the Health and Human Services website. As a young girl, she dreamed of one day molding herself into a businesswoman.
The assistant secretary said when she was growing up, there was a stigma associated with mental or behavioral health challenges.
Actor Trenton Flowers (left), 13, who had a brief appearance in The Color Purple (2023) movie musical, with his mother Tisha Flowers, 45, both of Orlando. Trenton was one of the special guests during the Black Family Wellness Expo held March 2, 2024 in Gifford. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
Campbell said students today are more willing to have conversations about their mental health obstacles. But, the official also said young pupils are growing up with smart phones and have instant access to social media, making them unable to break free from unkind comments online or videos that target them on the social networks.
“You don’t have the ability to escape because that phone is with you 24/7,” said Campbell, a member of the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “Those comments being made, and things being said about you – you’re hearing it every single minute of your day. That wears on your heart, mind, soul, spirit – and it really affects your confidence.”
Campbell said students should share the 988 number with their parents and friends. Seeking out professional help is nothing to be ashamed of, Campbell said.
“The (counselors) are individuals that understand mental, behavioral and substance use,” Campbell said. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You are so vitally important. Each of you have something to give to this world.”
Suicide is among the top five leading causes of death among teenagers in the U.S., according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support for youth and adults. The network not only connects people with counselors, but also with a variety of resources and organizations aimed toward helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges.
Health experts said one of Campbell’s objectives was to make sure people in the community were aware of services regarding mental health struggles, such as the 988 hotline.
“It’s a good alternative to calling 911,” said Stephanie Taylor, director of pharmacy for the Florida Community Health Center and program chair for the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated – an international, women-led volunteer service organization.
Physical Wellness
During a youth breakout session at the expo, the children and teens told Campbell their career aspirations, some of which included being a cardiologist, an OB-GYN, mental health therapist and a nurse practitioner. Alicia Stewart, 16, of Vero Beach, said her mother being a nurse practitioner inspired the girl to follow in her footsteps.
Dr. Elizabeth Jackson (center), past president of the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated., with the group’s Health and Human Services Facet Chair Harolyn Hall (left) and Dr. Wilhelmina Lewis (right), the group’s current chapter president at the Black Family Wellness Expo on March 2, 2024 in Gifford. Jackson received the “Pioneer in Healthcare Award” on behalf of her late husband, Dr. Thomas Jackson, the first Black physician to practice medicine in Indian River County. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
“(My mother) has her own firm Avaesen Healthcare in Maryland,” Stewart said. “I worked with her this summer. Working with her inspired me.”
Majesty-Shantwan McKenzie, a young business owner, said she wants to be an OB-GYN, an obstetrician gynecologist. McKenzie, 16, of Vero Beach, said there should be a group of people to watch and protect Black women when they’re bringing new life into the world.
“Black women need to be protected when their life is at stake,” said McKenzie, co-owner of Cookie Cutiez LLC located Vero Beach.
Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)
Health experts said Black people are predisposed to a lot of health conditions, including metabolic syndrome/ syndrome X. Syndrome X increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes, officials said.
“We want to make sure the public is aware of metabolic syndrome,” said Harolyn Hall, Health and Human Services Facet Chair with the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
There are five risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome:
- elevated blood sugar
- elevated blood pressure
- high triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood)
- lowering of HDL (good) cholesterol
- elevated waist circumference (obesity)
If a person has three of these conditions, they have metabolic syndrome, said Dr. Wilhelmina Lewis with Florida Community Health Centers. Those with the syndrome are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“Metabolic syndrome impacts the Black community disproportionately at a higher rate,” said Lewis, chapter president for the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “Most people who have the syndrome don’t even know. There’s a combination of factors related to race, genetics, lifestyle choices and the food we eat.”
Lewis said many people aren’t aware that metabolic syndrome exists. Health officials recommend the following tips for prevention and treatment:
- eat a high fiber diet to help control insulin levels (whole grains, fruits, vegetables)
- exercise at least 30 minutes, 4-to-5 days of the week
- monitor/control your blood sugar
- limit alcohol intake
- quit smoking
Financial Wellness
Health experts touched on how money management can directly impact your health.
“When we don’t have enough money to financially sustain ourselves, it creates stress,” said Tonya Lowe, services co-chair with the Treasure Coast Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “Stress can impact us physically and mentally. Just as we need to make sure our physical numbers are good, including our blood pressure levels, we need to know our financial numbers, including our credit score and financial well-being score.”
Quinesha “Nikki” Hawkins (left), of Motivated Connection Realty, with Chauncelor Howell, founder and president of the Treasure Coast Black Chamber of Commerce. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
Finance experts talked about steps to achieving financial wellness.
“Take action, whether it’s paying down your debt, getting a second job, starting a business or whatever it is you need to get to that financial wellness portion where you can live, thrive and grow,” said Quinesha ‘Nikki’ Hawkins, a commercial real estate broker at Motivated Connection Realty and founder of Atlante Development Group LLC.
Chauncelor R. Howell, former mayoral candidate for Port St. Lucie (2022) and founder of the Treasure Coast Black Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the importance of money management and financial literacy. Howell has a doctorate degree in business administration.
Hawkins said one of the biggest ways to build wealth is through real estate – both residential and commercial.
“Studying the racial wealth gap alarmed me when I started my real estate journey. It’s getting worse than what it was 20-to-30 years ago,” Hawkins said. “We need to do something about it. Everybody in this room can do something to help the state of Black wealth, not just for ourselves, but our children and our grandchildren.”
Photos by Nick Samuel
