I have partnered with Alexis Zink, a local licensed professional counselor, for a special “Mental Health Awareness Month” (MHAM) feature. Alexis is a great example of a mental health services professional who embodies the elements that MHAM strives to convey.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from West Chester University, and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Millersville University. She is a great resource for anyone seeking help with navigating trauma or prolonged stress, struggles with moods, or those who are looking to improve their relationships/communication skills.
Mental Health Awareness month has been in occurrence every May since 1949, founded by Clifford W. Beers of Mental Health America – the nation’s top national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and condition prevention. Originally created as a weekly awareness subject, the concept grew in popularity and has since been moved to an entire month centralized on mental health awareness.
Clifford made his mark on the way mental health was regarded in the early 1900’s with his book A Mind that Found Itself, An Autobiography. In his work, he details his own time spent in three different institutions while receiving treatment for hallucinations, delusions and manic-depressive episodes.
As a affluent, educated, and esteemed figure of his era, Beers faced pressure to conceal his mental health challenges and the treatments he underwent. However, he refused to be ashamed of his past and instead chose to advocate for those who remained hidden within the confines of mental health institutions across the nation. Beers was able to propel himself to the forefront of the movement by offering a new view of mental health treatment, and gave others space to reflect on how they could help others by sharing their experiences openly.
For Beers, the next steps after the publication of his book were to create a national (and then international organization) that would:
• Improve care and treatment of people in mental hospitals
• Work to correct the mis-impression that one cannot recover from mental illness
• Help to prevent mental disability and the need for hospitalization
Beers founded the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene in 1908; only five years after his release from the institution that shaped the rest of his career and life. Then in 1909, he founded the National Committee for Mental Hygiene (later recognized as the National Association for Mental Health in the USA) and in 1931 the International Foundation for Mental Health Hygiene.
Mirroring Clifford W. Beers, Alexis herself is no stranger to experiencing mental health struggles and hopes to end the stigma around seeking help for those who need it. Her journey through therapy shaped her life and made her into the counselor she is today; her willingness to be her authentic self in sessions, as well as being open about her own journey, is how I believe all mental health professionals should seek to present themselves to be able to end the stigma around mental health treatment and recovery.
She is not alone in her movement to end the stigma surrounding therapy, and has been supported by many like-minded women along the way (shoutout to Kristin, Heather, and Gail!). While the mental health field is somewhat dominated by female providers, there are always individuals who are quick to discount the work and impact of therapists – or women – in general. This unfortunately adds to the culture that therapy doesn’t work or isn’t necessary; but finding a safe space to share our thoughts and feelings is a major part of healing.
Alexis works diligently to create a safe space for anyone who finds their way into her office. She is adept at creating a safe environment for her patients to share freely, utilizing a person-centered approach to healing built on empathy, empowerment, and acceptance. It may feel difficult to approach therapy if you’re new to the world of mental health services or treatment, and you may be unsure of where to start.
When asked for her advice for someone who is new to counseling or therapy, Alexis shared the following:
“Reach out to someone if you are struggling.
You don’t have to be at rock bottom to be worthy of help. Your situation does not need to be “worse” for you to be worthy of help.
You are deserving and you matter.
We are not meant to go through hardship alone.”
The last statement, we are not meant to go through hardship alone, is what really sticks with me. This is a great takeaway for everyone, not just professionals within the industry of serving others with mental health related struggles. It is important to find an outlet or someone to talk to when we are in a space where we don’t have the capacity or ability to handle our hardships on our own; and there is no shame in looking for an extra hand to lighten your load.
Link to Alexis’s “Psychology Today” profile can be found here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexis-zink-lancaster-pa/1234875
Femme Foodie - Lancaster, PA 
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