It was very exciting to be a speaker at the Women’s Wellness Celebration sponsored by ARDX, a healthcare management and technology services and solutions provider that improves the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare for America’s most vulnerable populations. The 2016 Women’s Wellness Celebration (WWC), Mental Health Matters: Opening Eyes. Opening Minds., held October 11th at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, VA, brought together more than 300 women (and a few men) from non-profit organizations, hospitals and providers, local public health experts, and national policy and program leaders to bring awareness and incite action to mental health and well-being issues faced by adolescent girls and women.
My presentation, “Ability Matters: Harnessing the Power of Potential and self-Actualization for Women and Young Girls,” showcased best practice integrated care models and innovations that improve women and young girl’s emotional and physical well-being. I highlighted the importance of integrated care models that treat the mind, body and spirit to address the whole person and the different circumstances that impact our mental well-being. The Women and Health Initiative (W&HI) at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, the Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern University, and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation represent female-driven solutions to strengthen health systems to better address women’s unique healthcare needs. 
A key point was imparting the importance of health advocacy and bringing their voice to the strategic direction of parity and mental health legislation. Your voice matters! I stressed the importance to be well-informed on our health and well-being, be self-aware, share our experiences and be proactive. Let decision-makers know the importance of equitable, accessible and affordable healthcare that improves our ability to be healthy, active and successful women.
The highlight was talking about my ability to ski Black Diamonds at Vail and how it is my mental and physical well-being that allows me to take on these daring runs. I challenged the group of women to take on their own “Black Diamonds” in life and exceed their potential, to be at their absolute personal best mentally and physically, while defying expectations. The session with everyone gasping, yet invigorated, while watching my ski video to see exactly how it’s done!
Thank you to Angela Reddix, Lateefah Hughes and the entire ARDX Women’s Wellness Celebration production team for the opportunity to make a difference for women’s mental well-being.
