What is the Style Affect?
Style and Mental Health
In collaboration with the artist and "fashionista," Mecca Williams, LPC, the Style Affect uses the art of personal style and fashion as a mechanism to educate African Americans in the Richmond community about mental health issues, symptoms, management skills and treatment resources .
The desired outcome of the project is for an increased understanding of the mental health needs in the African American community, to eliminate barriers and access to mental health resources, and to increase African American participation in mental health treatment.
The Style Affect will conduct style-themed mental health panels and discussion groups to decrease the stigma of mental health and encourage participants to utilize creative outlets such as fashion to manage depression and anxiety related symptoms.
Style as an Art
Style and fashion are cultural influencers of the African American community. For centuries, style and fashion has been an artistic expression used as a catalyst that represents social change and movements in the African American community. The Style Affect will use fashion to create social change in the African American community by normalizing the need to seek mental health treatment.
Meet the Style Affect Artist!
mecca williams, lpc
Licensed mental health therapist and co-curator with Style and Spirits RVA and Two Triple Oh! received the 2018 Richmond Magazine Most Stylish Richmonder award. She is a community advocate who facilitates mental health panels and discussions throughout VA.
Mecca's Fashion & Mental health Tips
MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROCKING A SWEAT SUIT
The general symptoms of anxiety are muscle tension, poor concentration, worry, restlessness, etc. and impairs one’s ability to feel relax, relate and release. Some general depressive symptoms are, feelings of worthlessness, lack of interest regular activities, sleep issues, changes in weight (not on purpose), and loss of energy. In today’s climate, most of us are experiencing increased levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms as we are trying to adjust, make sense of our world, and find a new normal. While trying to manage our mental health, who has the time or want to be concerned with putting on the standard “appropriate fits”? Take a look at my visual style presentation that explores different types of sweatsuits and the various fashionable and fun ways to wear them. I can’t control many things in my environment, but I can control what I wear! Feeling comfortable in the clothes I choose to wear gives a me a sense of unequivocal freedom and it brings me much joy. I am a cozy girl and a therapist who uses style as an expression of art, therefore in addition to my visual presentation I developed a list of the mental health benefits of rocking sweatsuits:
- Allows room for movement which can reduce tension in the body when you need to sit or stand in different positions to relax
- Allows room for movement to dance, jump, and engage any other movement that brings you joy
- Most are very easy to wash, so go do some gardening, repot those plants, and/or just ground yourself in the earth
- Gives graces for fluctuation in weight and you can still feel confident in your appearance
- If you are in need of touch or the feel of comfort, wiggle around in your cozy jogging suit while taking a few deep breaths
- Reduces concerns of needing to iron or drying to release wrinkles, you don’t have to put much concentration in putting it on and going about your day
- Appropriate for lounging around the house to get rest, taking a mindful walk around the block, or a jog for exercise
- It can increase motivation of engaging in various activities, because all you have to do is choose the suit and kicks and “Just Do It!”
- They are great for transitions from Fall to Winter and Winter to Spring (a necessity if you struggle with seasonal depression)
- They usually come in soft textures which is something to consider for children, teens and/or adults who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum D/O who are sensitive to various textures
Learn More
Whatever you choose to wear, please BE well and comfortable. If you have any questions about sweatsuit options, feel free to send me a message!
Fashion & mental Health Connection
Be Mindful!
Mindfulness is a practice that encompass various techniques that’s used to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Depression is focusing on the past and anxiety is worrying about the future. Mindfulness teaches us how to be present, in the here and now. The now is all we really have. The past is gone and the future does not exist. Be mindful about your purchases and what to wear.
This look is an example of how I used fashion and style as a way to create awareness and education around mental health.
What are YOU Wearing?
The clothes we put on every day tell a story about who we are to the world and can have a major impact on our emotions and mood. Changing up or experimenting with fashion is definitely a good way to improve your mental health, WHEN YOU’RE TRYING to live through a global pandemic, figuring out what to wear is likely not top of mind. But according to Dr. Carolyn Mair, a behavioral psychologist and the author of The Psychology of Fashion, slipping into your favorite pair of jeans could help with anxiety and stress—after all, clothing is part of our identity.
Good & Bad of Retail Therapy
Retail therapy is when someone goes shopping and spends some money to feel better. It’s a real phenomenon and may be a good way to relieve some stress and any other emotions you’re feeling. Also beware of the pitfalls of retail therapy too. Research suggests that 80% of clothes in our wardrobe are unworn and that's quite worrying actually, as some people can become addicted to shopping and this can result in debt, in shame, and in guilt.
Self-Esteem Booster!
Perhaps the best reason to look fashionable is that it helps with your confidence. Getting complimented on how you look can give you a confidence boost and make you feel better about yourself. And you don’t even have to seek out validation from others, either. You can seek out validation from yourself as you see your fashion skills improving.
Stimulate Creativity!
As you’re looking to change your fashion or be more stylish, you may try some creative combinations or take some risks. Wearing the same clothing over and over does not give you much creativity to work with, but by customizing your fashion, you can be able to open up some creative passages in your brain that you never thought existed. Try on some new clothes or make some clothes! Change up your hair. Style your friends. See what it can do for you.
Free Counseling!
Meet Your Counselor Shayna Sweezy!
Shayna is a final year graduate student at Wake Forest University. She is currently in the master's program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Shayna is expected to graduate in May 2021. Shayna has been a student intern at Avail Outpatient Counseling, Certified SWaM business since January 2020 under the supervision of Tangee G. Augustin, LCSW. Shayna will be your provider for probono sessions until May 1, 2021.
Eligibility Criteria
- Adults 18 or Older
- Underinsured/Uninsured
- Unemployed/Employed without Benefits
- Unable to Afford Traditional Counseling Services
- Struggling with Daily Hassles (ex. lack of sleep, limited free time), Major Life Changes (ex. birth of a child, separation or divorce, new job, death of a loved one, moving), or Life Circumstances (ex. poverty or financial problems, disability, chronic illness, conflictual relationships, job dissatisfaction)
- No history of Severe Mental Illness (SMI) (ex. Disorders with Psychotic Symptoms)
- No history of personal self-harm
- Commitment to Prompt Attendance
- Openness Telehealth Sessions
- Openness to Audio/Video Recording due to Sessions being Completed by Students
- Commitment to Fully Participate in Therapeutic Interventions and Homework
Admission Process
- If interested in probono services, email availinfo@availcounseling.com with "PROBONO" in subject line.
- An Avail Team Member will contact you via email or phone within 48 hours to collect necessary information required to schedule your initial appointment.
- You will receive a link for Google Meet for your initial appointment. You must have access to wifi and webcam or smart phone to use this telehealth platform.
- Your initial appointment will be an intake, collecting biopsychosocial information to inform treatment planning with your provider.
- You and your provider will determine time-limited therapy goals and create a therapy schedule between now and May 1, 2021. All clients will be supported in transitioning to a long term Licensed provider, if needed.
BLACK Therapists Directory
Dr. Lakesha Roney
Avail Outpatient Counseling
Empowered to Thrive Counseling and Wellness
Black Therapists Rock Directory
Therapy for Black Men Directory
Therapy for Black Girls Directory
Virginia Black Business Directory
We value your feedback!
Complete survey & win a prize!
Tell us what you think about the Style Affect. Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win Black owned business products! A name will be drawn the 1st of each month and sent an email to claim their prize.
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Support the Style Affect
Help ECA increase mental health awareness in RVA! Donations in February will support the Style Affect project.