WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: DAMION HARMON
It’s an honor to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a colleague and friend who is making some dope moves in the mental health world as a therapist and advocate. I had the opportunity to chop it up with Damion to learn how he adds Eustress to his life.
Check it out!
HEY DAMION, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 7 years licensed. In the mental health field over 15
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
Yes absolutely!
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
Balancing my own emotions and recognizing transference.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES?
Once becoming involved in the field in 2005, I felt the importance of maintenance of my own mental health in order to be of assistance to the clients and population I worked with.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
Adequate sleep, decompression at the end of the day. Sporadic mental health checkins with myself throughout the day. Enjoying life every day!! .
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
Being a therapist, you can't pour into others from an empty cup. Being mentally healthy allows me to provide the most effective treatment possible.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
Music, being outdoors, working with others, connecting with others.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD TELL SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN YOUR PROFESSION OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU ARE?
Take care of yourself (mind, body, and soul). You can't be a help someone else, if you have unresolved and underlying issues that affect you daily.
