Raising Global Citizens Shero Series: Mental Health

Storytelling is the most powerful tool to put ideas into the world today.  When we tell our stories, we empower others to share theirs as well. Now more than ever, children need to see that everyday people can grow up to make a big difference in the world. Little girls and boys need to see that joy is possible no matter their circumstances.

Raising Global Citizens Shero Series is about everyday (s)heroes who are fighting for your children to have a brighter future.  They are not famous or wealthy, but are the very embodiment of a role model.  They believed in their abilities and set out to reach their dreams. Each day of their lives is dedicated to making a global impact.  These women are true role models for us who want to raise globally minded citizens.

Raising Global Citizens Shero Series: Mental Health

Today’s interview is with Yvette Chapman, a sociologist who works for the State of North Carolina in a mental health facility.  Her incredible work is making an impact on one of the most polarizing group of people.  She gives great perspective on what her clients have taught her about disabilities, but also in life.

In the interview below, Yvette shares about both her personal and professional life.  Her story is one of resilience and strength, and her journey is sure to encourage and inspire you.

Never underestimate the difference just one person can make.  Click To Tweet(image found here)

Tell us a little about your job.

I am currently employed with Department of Health and Human Services. I am responsible writing the Life Plans/Person Care Plan for individuals who are dually diagnosed with Intellectual Disability/Mental Illness.

In addition, I am also the leader of our interdisciplinary team (consisting of nurses, psychologists, teachers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, as well as others). My primary role is to coordinate services to help ensure best practice,  while ensuring the individuals at our facility receive best quality care in a safe and therapeutic environment.

I am also responsible for assessing individuals for placement here at our facility, as well as transitioning individuals back to community living or with their families.

How did you decide on a career in sociology?

Initially, I decided on my career path because I thought it would be something I could ace in school. I thought I could sit through a few classes, get a degree, and make a bit more money. As you can imagine, I was in for a huge surprise. I quickly learned I had absolutely no clue about who I was as a person.

So, I immersed myself into books. I started paying attention, and I spent extra time with my professors trying to learn and get a better understanding of my behavior. This in turn helped me to better understand human behavior as a whole.

I took a few observation courses, and as I listened more, I found I needed to talk less myself. I felt the pull and the need to understand the social problems that affected people. With this renewed sense of purpose, I then decided I wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives through a career in mental health.

How do you cultivate the relationships with your team?

I can honestly say, I work with the best team imaginable. They are true professionals who show respect for the knowledge, education and worth of each individual. We all have vastly different backgrounds, and each person brings something unique to the table.

Most importantly, we all have our clients best interests at heart. I would summarize our team’s relationship as one of mutual respect.

How has working with your clients changed your perspective on life?

Before I started my career, I took many things in life for granted. As a result of working with my clients, I look at everything with fresh eyes.  It’s as if I’ve been blessed with a new perspective. I enjoy the rain with little complaints, and I appreciate all of the choices I have in my life.

Thanks to my job, I have a greater understanding and appreciation for my family. I have a deeper love for my son, for who he is, who he has become.  I have gained a deep respect for people with disabilities.  Most importantly, I meet people where they are in their lives, not where I think they should be.

I meet people where they are in their lives, not where I think they should be. Click To Tweet

What keeps you going towards achieving your goals?

My biggest motivator in my life is my son. He has become the best son anyone could hope to have. He’s not perfect to the world, but he is perfect to me. He is the best part of me, and he is one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today.

You see, I had my son and married at age 17 thinking I knew it all. I soon found out I knew nothing.  I was thrown into a world unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was very difficult trying to work at odd jobs, come home and be a wife, a mother, all while living in different states and overseas away from my family.

Even though my marriage was filled with physical and emotional abuse, I stayed. I dealt with the abuse because I thought I had to keep my family together. I thought I could not make it without my husband. After 5 years, I finally found the courage to say enough was enough and leave.

Despite the trauma and abuse I suffered, I had to forgive my ex-husband in order to be the woman I am today. I had to ask my God to soften my heart. It took nearly twenty years to see the good that came out of my less than ideal circumstances.

I would have never realized how strong I am unless I had gone through what I did. All these years later, I can thank him for teaching me the importance of loving myself and my family.

What are some of the unique challenges in your job?

Although I do not work for the paycheck, I would have to say the expectations that come with my salary are the hardest. The tasks and duties of this job get lost in the system. Like any other bureaucratic job, there are details that get lost in the system. The pressure is very high, and there can be a lack of support. This is where I have to step in again and lead my team despite unclear expectations.

I keep revisiting the long-term goals with my team. We keep the clients of the future in the forefront of our minds. We make decisions based on who we will be serving for the next five to ten years in the future. By doing this, we create a system that meets the needs of every one who walks through our doors.

When I am feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, I think of my own loved ones and work as though one of them needed our services.

Why should someone choose a career in sociology?

Self-awareness is a life long journey.  However, a career in sociology helps you understand who you are in an extremely unique way.  This translates to better understanding how to work together to make this a better world for all of us.

What is it like growing up in a large family? 

When I was young, I thought everyone had a large family like mine.  As I grew up, I realized how incredibly lucky we were. Even through the fights and disagreements that come with that many people in one home, I would not trade them for the world.

Now that we have all grown up, we love each other fiercely. My family is my back bone.  I look forward to the gatherings, to the conversation, as well as the laughter. I look forward to the jokes and reminiscing about our childhood. More than ever, I appreciate looking down the table at the holidays with my huge and wonderfully crazy family.

What are the best perks from living in the rural South?

The answer is simple, just like the South.

The peace and quiet. The friendly, hospitable people. The good soul food.

Give us your top three book recommendations we should all read.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength by Chanequa Walker-Barnes

These three books have been my calm in the storm as well as my escape during many different times in my life. I have read these books over and over and I highly recommend you take the time to enjoy these amazing titles.

In your home, what is does the perfect Sunday Dinner look like?

Like most homes in the south, Sunday dinner is a tradition every one looks forward to all week. My family meets at my mother’s house to enjoy dinner and conversation. The ideal menu includes collards, yams, corn, and cabbage, ham, roast with potatoes, carrots, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes. and cornbread. If your mouth isn’t watering already, it should be.

As I have gotten older, I appreciate the time I spend with my family every Sunday at Ma’s with great food and great fellowship.

(image found here)

Tell us about your favorite places to travel.

My favorite travel adventures so far have been  Edisto Island, SC, Atlantic City, and Okinawa, Japan. The food, the culture, the people, as well as the serenity of the ocean have all greatly enhanced my life.

Who is one of your sheroes? 

My shero is my mother. My mother raised eight children on her own. No matter how tough times were, she was always optimistic and never lost hope. My mother has held my hand and been with me through some of the darkest times in my life. She has been my biggest cheerleader, as well as my boldest critic.

My mother has made something out of nothing for us. She is the textbook definition of beauty and grace.

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know Yvette and her incredible story. We are so grateful to you for being here with our tribe to inspire the next generation towards giving of themselves for the greater good.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

In case you missed the rest of Raising Global Citizens series, you can catch up now!

Human Rights Part 1: an interview with international human rights lawyer HERE.

Healthcare Part 2: an interview with a United States Diplomat who runs the health clinic for the Embassy in Accra, Ghana HERE.

Education Part 3: an interview with an international middle school teacher HERE.

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