Recently on On Point with Juandolyn Stokes, Dr. Camilla Harris, Founder of the justUs MH Foundation, joined the Juandolyn Stokes for a powerful conversation during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In sharing her own experience of losing her father to suicide, Dr. Harris offered both personal reflection and professional insight into the urgent need for mental health awareness, education, and systemic reform.
Facing Loss and Building Purpose
Dr. Harris spoke candidly about the devastating impact of her father’s death and how that painful chapter has shaped her calling to create spaces of healing through the justUs MH Foundation. Her story is a reminder that behind every statistic are families navigating loss, grief, and the long road toward resilience.
Emotional Control: “Give It Permission to Come, But Don’t Let It Stay”
One of the central themes of the conversation was emotional control. Dr. Harris explained that emotions are unavoidable, but we must learn to manage them in healthy ways.“Give it permission to come, but don’t let it stay,” she said, describing the importance of allowing ourselves to feel while also building strategies to move forward without being consumed.
Teenagers and the Need for Safe Spaces
Highlighting the unique challenges faced by young people, Dr. Harris pointed out that many teenagers lack the spaces and places simply to be. Without these supportive environments, teens are left vulnerable to loneliness, emotional instability, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Communities, she stressed, must become intentional about creating safe and affirming places for youth to process and grow.
Rewiring the Nervous System & Finding Your Antidote
Dr. Harris also discussed the science of healing, noting that trauma and stress alter how the body and nervous system respond to life’s challenges. Through therapy, mindfulness, and other healing practices, individuals can begin the process of rewiring their nervous systems toward resilience. She encouraged listeners to actively seek what works for them: “You’ve got to find your antidote.”
Triggers, Self-Control, and Situational Awareness
The conversation further explored the role of triggers, self-control, and situational awareness in maintaining mental and emotional health. By understanding what sparks emotional reactions and practicing intentional control, people can better navigate difficult situations with clarity and calm.
A Call for Legislative Action
While personal strategies are critical, Dr. Harris emphasized that systemic change is just as important. She called for free healthcare across all platforms, ensuring mental health support is accessible to everyone regardless of financial barriers. She also highlighted the urgent need for police mental health crisis training, pointing out that law enforcement officers are often the first to respond in emergencies but may lack the training necessary to de-escalate and support individuals in crisis.
Moving Forward with Hope
Dr. Camilla Harris’s conversation on On Point with Juandolyn Stokes was both deeply personal and powerfully universal. By sharing her story, she not only honored her father’s memory but also amplified the critical importance of addressing mental health with compassion, education, and legislative action.
As Suicide Prevention Awareness Month reminds us, open dialogue, community support, and systemic reform are essential in saving lives and building healthier futures.
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