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.
we did it!
History of the Black Mental Health Week Proclamation
In 2018, Tangee Augustine, LCSW and Mecca Williams, LPC held a panel discussion on World Mental Health Day (October 10th) entitled, "Ain't Nothing Wrong With You” to destigmatized mental illness and seeking professional mental health assistance in Black communities. This led to the first Black Mental Health Week in Richmond, VA.
In 2021, the Virginia Counseling Association with the assistance of Dr. Lakesha Roney and Mecca Williams initiated advocacy efforts for the official proclamation of Richmond’s Black Mental Health week. As a result of said efforts, Mayor Levar Stoney and Richmond’s City Council officially proclaimed the first week of every October as Black Mental Health week.
BMHW Brunch 2022 Recap
Sunday Brunch!
In 2022 we kick off Black Mental Health Week (BMHW) with a Brunch on October 2, 2022 11:00am-2:00pm. This brunch was open to community members, human service professionals, and allies of the black and brown communities impacted by untreated mental illness. It included another Panel Discussion, professionally curated by Dr. Shawnrell Blackwell and featuring mental health experts Tangee Augustin, LCSW and Mecca Williams, LPC addressing the topic of addiction, more specifically broadening the concept of addiction to include behavioral addiction. The human service field will once again expand due to the recent redefinition of addiction. From the previous definition encompassing only substance addiction, such as addiction to alcohol and illegal or legal drugs, the concept of addiction has been broadened to include behavioral addiction including pathological gambling, shopping addiction, sex addictions, and the relatively new phenomenon of internet addiction. During this brunch, we discussed similarities between substance addiction and behavioral addiction.
2021 RVA Black mental health week
Monday, October 4 2021
Tuesday, October 5 2021
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Saturday, October 9 2021
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Sunday, October 10 2021
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Saturday, October 9 2021
World Mental Health Day!
Relax your mind, body , and spirit with a free 6 minute sound bath!
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.
BLACK Therapists Directory
