As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, NYC’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray, shares with BuzzFeed News her insights on how to cope with some of life’s difficulties — and how to seek help when you need it.
Meet Chirlane McCray.
Jon Premosch for BuzzFeed News
She is a feminist trailblazer and the wife and "No. 1 Adviser" of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. She is also the chair of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit that raises money to support a variety of initiatives. In the past year, McCray has put the issue of mental health at the forefront of her causes and recently announced the investment of $78.3 million annually to provide mental health care services in the New York City area. She also launched #shatterthestigma, a social media campaign aimed at destigmatizing conversations surrounding mental illness. For her, it's an effort that is not only political, but personal: Her father suffered from depression, and her daughter, Chiara, has been open about her own struggles with depression, anxiety, and addiction.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, McCray sat down with BuzzFeed News to share her insights into an important — and often forgotten — aspect of the conversation surrounding mental health: self-care. Here are some of her tips for coping with life's difficulties — and seeking help when you need it.
"What you feel is what you feel. I like to think about carrying my weather with me. If I feel like I'm in a space where there are clouds and rain and lightning, then it's like, 'Something's not right,' and I need to do something about it, figure out some coping strategies, and if that's not working then it means taking another step."
"I have a lot of tools that I use. This morning I was listening to Chaka Khan and India Arie. It really helps me boost my mood. I love to move around. Dancing is a big thing for me. I love nature, so walking around the garden, looking at plants, just being in touch with the Earth helps me so much. Poetry. Writing. It's a long list."
(For ideas on other activities that can help you process emotions and practice self-care, check out this useful list.)