In a world that broadly stigmatizes conversations on mental health, it can be hard to have necessary conversations. But licensed therapist Shahem Mclaurin is working to change that. With over 700,000 followers and counting on TikTok, their videos about trauma, the foster care system, and the financial obstacles to getting therapy frequently go viral. That’s because Mclaurin has spent their life working to make mental health services and education accessible to as many people as possible, especially given the crucial role it played in their life from a young age.
“Going through foster care as a child, I’ve overcome through developing communal relationships that ultimately encouraged me to pursue higher education and become a social worker myself,” Mclaurin says. “My community supports were a driving force in encouraging me to tear down as many barriers between people and mental health care as possible.”
Mclaurin founded their own independent mental health agency in the hopes of making therapy more accessible, which they have been able to do through providing reduced and free services. Beyond their personal practice, however, Mclaurin is bridging the gap between clinical practice and public education so that communities can be better equipped to care for each other.
“Community is the answer to the overwhelming majority of issues we face interpersonally and as a whole societally,” they say. “Us is the answer.” @5hahem
