Dr. Markesha Miller, an Advocate for Mental Health

Mental strength is not the ability to stay out of the darkness; it is the ability to sit present in the darkness, sometimes in silence, sometimes confused, knowing the light is still in your reach.”

-Dr. Markesha Miller

It is important to recognize emotions when an individual is feeling dull and low. There are ways an individual can communicate their apprehensions such as talking to mental health experts. Dr. Markesha Miller has been advocating for mental health since the time when there was little awareness. Many people used to believe that mental health is secondary, but there is a massive change with the new wave of information and mindfulness. Dr. Miller was born on February 24th, 1979, in Monroe, North Carolina and has graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning a B. A, E.Ds., and Ph.D. respectively. Over the years, mental wellness has been given a lot of attention as it is significant to live a fulfilled life. There might be moments when individuals may feel trapped and for that Dr. Miller has been trying to change the approach. It is critical to address emotions from the start as they dictate how an individual will move ahead in life.

Choosing acceptance

“The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you.”
― Stephanie Perkins

Most people would go about their lives without recognizing their emotions and just accept being stuck in one place. To have a healthy mind, it is important to choose acceptance when it comes to admitting that there might be mental health issues prevalent. Dr. Miller has been working determinedly to shed light on how to cope with stress and anxiety. She is the owner and clinical director of Holistic Psychological Associates and an adjunct professor with the University of South Carolina. She is the former host of Therapy Thursdays on WACH-TV 57 and the present host of “On the Mark with Dr. Markesha Miller,” a syndicated radio show dedicated to mental health. She currently serves on various boards throughout South Carolina, including the Governor’s Council for the Department of Juvenile Justice, being the voice of mental health issues throughout the judicial system.

When it comes to projecting light on mental wellbeing, Dr. Miller has kept individuals from compromised backgrounds in mind. She is the founder of The Marguerite C. Blackwell Foundation, which addresses mental health issues in rural areas. As people start to address their feelings and emotions, they can easily control a situation that requires a quick response. Some people tend to close down or walk away but it is important to face setbacks with resilience and confidence. Being positive is key for mental wellness, and Dr. Miller, as a licensed and nationally certified psychotherapist, motivates individuals to process how they feel. She has participated in national, regional, and state-wide presentations on multicultural education issues unique to women of color.

Striving for mental wellbeing

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
― John Green

There are moments when a person may feel completely out of place and may go in isolation and not interact. As a person feels disassociated, they should quickly seek help and communicate their issues. A person may get sidetracked due to their commitments and forget to just take a breath. If regular breaks are not taken, a person may begin to face burnout, which ultimately jeopardizes mental health. Dr. Miller has been remarkable when it comes to bringing mental wellness to the forefront. Since mental health issues are not physical, they tend to get ignored and shoved in the background. Dr. Miller has put in all her efforts to address all individuals’ mental health issues and work through them to address unresolved trauma. Most individuals are a certain way due to their childhood which defines their adult behavior.

People need to understand that being mentally healthy helps sustain a better mood with a fulfilled life and improved performance in the long run. As individuals observe their behaviors and reactions, they will learn that it is crucial to recognize emotions and respond accordingly. Dealing with mental health is a task, and once a person goes into isolation, it is not easy to come back. Even when a person feels dark inside, they should stimulate a changed perspective. Being negative not only hurts mental wellbeing but also instigates a pessimistic thinking pattern. Dr. Miller has used all her capabilities to highlight the importance of mental health and how it dictates the future. She has been working diligently as an advocate of mental health and inspires all who want to be healed.