One Mother's Journey & Author of “Zaire’s Big Feeling About Feeding”
- Black Mental Wellness
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
Guest Contributor: Keyundra Thompson
Special needs and medical mom, Special education paraprofessional, Blogger, Poet, & Author
What does Black Mental Wellness mean to you?
Black mental health means everything to me. I’ve dealt with depression hands on. I still deal with anxiety daily. I’m grateful for the tools I’ve learned in the behavior therapy field; as well as, the tools I gained when I decided to seek help for myself.
How do you promote change and well-being in the Black community?
I advocate daily for special needs families. I work hands on with the youth in my community tutoring, mentoring, etc. I am one who tries to support all Black businesses, and I like to incorporate others in my own success. I have a heart for the youth, so a lot of things I do are centered around the upcoming generation.
What are some upcoming events you are leading, that promote mental health and wellness, that you would like for our Black Mental Wellness audience to know about?
I am planning an in person book signing for my children’s book “Zaire’s Big Feeling About Feeding” for the month of June. During this event I will supply families with informational materials on how to seek early interventions and how to advocate for the RIGHT treatments and therapies for their children. I am also working on releasing my second digest publication in May; which is a women’s encouragement mini book. As I transition into my 30s there are life lessons I will need to know. Losing my mother during the summer made me question how will I learn these things. So I wrote a poetic devotional diary about my life’s lessons and featured women in my life who are mothers that will give advice in a call and response way. I plan to host a girl talk panel for young ladies who also need life advice and encouragement this summer.
Tell us about your educational and/or professional training, and current area of expertise related to mental health and wellness?
I attend Ouachita Baptist University to study Psychology before becoming a mom. I’ve had 11 years in the behavioral health and developmental daycare setting from the mental health side, to classrooms, and ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy with children with autism and other developmental disabilities and behavioral and health disorders. I currently work as a middle school special education paraprofessional while attending Henderson star university pursuing my bachelor’s degree in special education.
What are some ways that you promote mental health and wellness through your area of expertise (yoga instructor, clergy, mental health professional, etc.)?
By having a background in ABA therapy, I’ve found it easier to connect with my middle school students. I’m able to find calming tactics for them that are sensory freeing and mentally satisfying. As a mom on the other side of things, I am able to relate to my parents in a different way. I cry the tears they cry, I’ve dealt with the guilt (and still struggle at times) with the guilt they face, and I have the same fears they have. I’m able to be supportive and it pushes me to be a voice for them even more.
What are some things that we should know about your area of expertise?
Autism isn’t a one way street. It comes with all types of speed bumps, curves, loops, stops, and dead ends. It also comes with lots of rewards, amusement, and mysterious creativity.
How can we encourage more people to seek mental health treatment?
Encourage people to speak up more. Allow them to feel safe. For me, being a mommy is the biggest part of my being. I felt ashamed in the beginning to let others know I was scared or dealt with depression as mommy guilt. It’s okay to have human emotions. Find your people and support each other.
What are your recommendations for ending stigma in the Black community?
Stop allowing the stigma to be a thing. Stop being stuck in our ways. Our grandparents and their grandparents struggled because they were uneducated and embarrassed. We are blessed with so many resources now. We have professionals and clinicians who look like US. It’s okay to be safe, and seek help. It’s okay to seek early intervention and therapy for our kids. It’s your way of saving them whether you know it or not.
What can parents expect from you as an educator?
What parents can expect from me as an educator is for me to put my all into teaching there kids, and having their families back. What my readers and followers can expect is for me to always advocate and educate the world about neurodivergence and motherhood.
Do you have an experience with seeking mental health treatment that you would like to share with the Black Mental Wellness audience?
After experiencing postpartum depression with my daughter, I felt like I would never bounce and be the same. Little did I know the postpartum didn’t come from me being a mom. It was a trigger from my childhood traumas I hadn’t dealt with, and my mommy heart wanted to protect my daughter from those things. It was the best thing I could’ve done. When my son was born and started enduring all of his problems, I know there were times when I felt like I should’ve gone crazy and lost it all. Due to me having someone to call and equipping myself with certain tools, each year, each doctor appointment, and each surgery has gotten easier. There was one point when I would have anxiety attacks the night before or morning of our appointments at children’s. Parenting PTSD is real in the special needs community. Yes I still have anxiety, but it’s dealt with better. I’ve gotten stronger, and I wouldn’t trade my our journey for anything.
What wellness strategies do you think should be given more attention within the Black community? Are there any reasons why you think they are not given more attention?
Mindfulness meditation. When you block out the noise of society and focus on the now, you can ground yourself and move forward.
How do you make time for your own wellness and self-care?
I have slacked over the last four years, but recently I’ve started to allow myself to take naps, watch my own shows, be lazy and clear my mind. I’ve also started wanting to dress up more often.
What are your top 5 favorite wellness and self-care strategies?
Sleep
Read
Encourage yourself
Seek out a community of YOUR people
Pray
What resources do you find most helpful to encourage mental health and wellness?
Believe it or not, black social media outlets.
Guest Contributor
My name is Keyundra Thompson, and I am a 29 year old single mom of 2 from small town Gurdon, Ar. I am special needs and medical mom; as well as, a former ABA therapist, now special education paraprofessional, blogger, poet, and author. We have just launched the preorder of my children’s book “Zaire’s Big Feeling About Feeding”. This book is one highlighting my son’s journey with feeding aversions and autism. It’s also here to educate people on children with sensory aversions, provide therapeutic support while also teaching the importance of a rewards system, and to promote awareness for therapies, early intervention, and neurodivergence. It’s just in time for autism awareness month!! 🩵🩵
We also announced the full launch of my first digest publication. This mini book highlights my home church New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Gurdon as the staple it has always been in SW Arkansas. I was also blessed to pay tribute to some members who have been spiritual and cultural trailblazers, and touched my life. My goal is to be versatile as an author and poet while continuing to advocate for maternal prenatal healthcare and special needs families. I know all too well the dark sides of postpartum depression, the fears of almost losing my own life and losing a child during labor due to medical neglect as a black woman, and the daily fears of not only raising black children but raising a black boy who’s on the spectrum in today’s America. I am also striving to build by brand “The Secrets To Serenity” with other ventures and partnerships outside of writing, like an author podcast where I can not only review books but host mommy talk sessions where other single moms and special needs moms (and even dads) can come together as a community to advocate, educate, and support each other. I am attaching a previous news clip on my sons story on his medical journey, and my first announcement trailer for my work current updates.
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