The Best Lessons From Leanne

Where to learn the best lessons from Leanne? Choose your place. The classroom, in a counseling session, or at one of her Mental Health Empowerment Day (MHED) conferences.

I first met Leanne Matlow (@leannematlow) at the latter, when MHED (@mentalhealthempowermentday) was in person and I had a booth to raise awareness of the program Brave The Waves.

Since then, Leanne has been my go-to consultant for all things mental health-related. As a Brave The Waves Advisory Board Member, the best lessons from Leanne can be found in the majority of blogs that I write. If I’m going to suggest any type of advice that has to deal with mental health, why wouldn’t I make sure it’s valid and most of all, worthwhile?

When it came to writing Get Up, Leanne had to be included as a mentor – I mean, come on! And did she ever answer the question:

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR TEENAGE SELF?

The best lessons from Leanne can be learned right here. Read all about this french fry and poke bowl devourer. Breaking Bad and Succession watcher. (I love those shows, and french fries, too!)

Who is Leanne Matlow?

I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, mental health advocate.

What is your official job and how do you spend your days?

I am a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) counselor in private practice. I work with children and youth who are struggling with issues of anxiety and depression. My days are spent meeting with my clients and educating parents and teachers about mental health and strategies so that they can put them into action.

Why did you decide to pursue social work?  

I entered the field of mental health through education. I hold a Master’s Degree in Human Development and Applied Psychology and began to pursue courses and training in CBT.  My background is in teaching, special education, and guidance. From my years working in schools, I had a front-line view of the lack of knowledge around mental health issues. It is here where I learned the severe impact mental health was having on the academic, social, and emotional health of children.

Share some lessons that you have learned from the following groups:

Students/clients: You should never assume anything or assume how anyone is feeling. When there is a lack of knowledge and truth, anxiety can rear its ugly head. Do not judge anyone and do not compare or rank people’s suffering, because everyone is struggling with something. 

Teachers: Act like the teacher you wish you had. Sometimes just listening is the best thing you can do, because you don’t have to have all the answers.

Colleagues: You cannot control others, only how they make you feel.

Anyone else in or out of your circle: My father taught me to treat everyone the same, with dignity and kindness.

Why did you create Mental Health Empowerment Day?

I needed to fill a gap that I saw in the work that is done in the mental health space. I initially addressed the day for educators, camp staff, and those who work closely with youth; however, we have grown the model to include parents, as they need to be in the center field when it comes to the care of their child. There are three goals of the event:  De-stigmatize, Educate and Build Community. 

I believe there is a lot of misinformation and even a dangerous incorrect usage of terms in the mental health sphere. Many people don’t know where to turn if their child gets a diagnosis or is struggling with anxiety or depression. There are so many missing links in the system. In all of our conferences, we turn to the experts and those with lived experience to speak. It is here where they can share their wisdom and stories. No one should feel that they are alone in this journey.

Where do you see MHED going?

I established MHED to help as many people as possible. Mental health should be an issue that is talked about respectfully and accurately. I want people to feel less alone and want everyone to know there is help and hope!

Let’s unpack your quote!

“Everything that you learn is worth it, even if you are not sure how, when, and where it will be useful.”

What I truly believe is that knowledge is power. Everything that you learn will help you one day. I think that we should always challenge ourselves to keep learning. It makes us better, kinder, which will result in being more flexibly thinking individuals.

Determined to create positive change in how we view, react, and navigate mental health issues. Thank you, Leanne Matlow for creating Mental Health Empowerment Day. The flashlight that is needed to get through the unknown of anxiety and depression.