Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Broussard.
Madison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Getting me to where I am began with multiple dreams. Dreams of becoming a chef, owning my own restaurant to now mental health advocate. With many roadblocks on my journey to college as a single mother, I needed to find a happy medium to both working and continuing my college education. If I was going to join the “adulting world” I needed to find my passion. I always knew I wanted to share my story with other teenagers and women experiencing the same challenges that I have encountered. Psychology was not my first choice but is has become to be the best choice for me aligning with my spirit and morals. At the beginning of my psychology degree, I was not interested and honestly after completing my bachelor’s degree with the University of Houston, I still was not excited. I had no clue what I wanted to pursue with my degree but I knew I couldn’t just stop there. After completing my undergraduate degree, I began my master’s degree with no break.
Despite the encouragement to take a break from my friends and family. It wasn’t until I enrolled in my master’s program Clinical Mental Health Counseling that I realized how helpful I could be as a licensed professional counselor. In today’s society stressing mental wellness of our youth, elderly and young adults is of extreme importance. I’ve encountered several breakdowns along the way with thoughts of hopelessness and giving up. Sleepless nights completing assignments, internship, being a mother and working with no time for me. I become accustomed to this lifestyle for the past six years with the mentality this is what mothers do, “suck it up”. I’ve chosen to pick myself up and bring other individuals along with me to mental wellness.
Mental Health With Madi focuses on the education and inclusiveness of minorities in the mental health world. Most minorities like myself are taught to be strong and do what we have to do no matter the circumstance. Yet, when is it okay to reach for help? Notice the signs of burnout before breakdown? The goal of my blog and business is show we can be both strong and take a mental health break.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journeys of life are rarely smooth sailing. However, with my journey to Mental Health with Madi being fairly new, I have not experienced struggles significantly as of yet. Along my educational journey, I have hit a few roadblocks becoming exhausted wanting to give up or take a break. Reminding myself that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Giving advice to anyone beginning on a similar career path in mental health, I would advise them to stick with it and practice self-care. In counseling, you are no good to a client if you are not in a mental state of wellness.
Please tell us about Mental Health With Madi.
My business is a blog that allows for minorities to gain insight into the true realities of mental health illness. Far too many of us believe our faith cures everything. With the perspective, that is all we need to survive. Though our faith plays a tremendous part in our lives there is still a need to reveal to a trustworthy person your challenges in confidence. Mental Health With Madi’s mission is to help minority communities become more aware of their mental health status by educating and providing guidance online that creates hope and a sense of belonging. Our focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengthens. We achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to their concerns and customizing content for self implementation.
What I am most proud of is my determination to spread awareness in the minority community. There is a stigma to be broken in my community. Though I am one person I aim to reach as many individuals as I can one at a time. What sets me apart from others is that my sole focus is on the minority community. Having experienced mental wellness changes within my own corner, being an educated counseling student, and soon to be licensed professional counselor, my readers will gain accurate knowledge. Also providing them with avenues on where and how to seek help for themselves or others.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
With my journey of Mental Health With Madi still being fairly new. I can’t say that I would change anything that would make the journey easier. Being consistent is definitely a mandatory attribute when creating your own brand. Like most business creators during the start you are still working a normal job and it can become hard to juggle different tasks. However, I juggle between motherhood, student, full -time employee, and significant other. I would not have it any other way. It has taught me the lesson of discipline, maturity, and there is nothing too big for me to handle.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mentalhealthwithmadi.com
- Email: mentalhealthwithmadi19@gmail.com
- Instagram: Mental_Health_With_Madi
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