A Journey to Better Mental Health: My Personal Story
by Keenan Hart
We all face tough times in life, and for me, 2017 was one of the lowest points I had ever experienced.
As an entrepreneur for three years, I felt like I wasn’t living up to the expectations that social media had set for me. Despite what everyone else seemed to have achieved, I wasn’t a millionaire, I wasn’t rich, I didn’t have a luxurious lifestyle, and I wasn’t as successful as I had hoped to be.
However, it was during this difficult time that I realized the importance of mental health and the impact it has on our overall success. My name is Keenan Hart, and I’ve been in the healthcare and mental health industry for the last decade. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the largest healthcare systems in the country and community-based organizations with the goal to increase access to mental and behavioral healthcare.
From my own experiences, I understand the challenges that come with asking for help, especially when it comes to mental health. Growing up in a biracial family and as a high-performing athlete, I saw the lack of resources and the stigma around talking about mental health. I saw the negative effects it had on my friends and family, and I realized that my voice is important in perpetuating a conversation around this topic.
So, as I look to the future, I want to use my platform and lived experience to have real conversations about mental health. I want to interview people who have faced similar struggles and share my own journey, including the ups and downs. I want to document my progress and encourage others to join me on this journey to better mental health.