WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: JA'RON BROWN
Working within the therapeutic foster care system has its unique challenges. Ja’ron has been navigating this space for almost two year as a therapist. Check out how he adds Eustress to his life.
HEY JA'RON, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
I am currently a therapeutic foster care therapist for children that are in the foster care system. I have held this role since June 2017.
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
I honestly always think about my mental health. Being in the mental health field, your mental health is just as important as your patients. You hear a lot of traumatic things and it’s important to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. You can’t pour into an empty cup.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
I encounter a lot of challenges with the foster care system. It’s hard to do a lot with the clients due to the foster care system being over them.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES?
I realized that when I first began my job in 2017. I also learned a lot about that during graduate school. It’s important to do things that can relieve you and keep you less stress so that you can help others.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I actually work out. I work out 3 days a week to relieve stress and to cope with the stressors and things I learn on a day to day basis.
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
Being mentally healthy helps me help my patients and clients become their best selves. If I can do my job in making sure that I am healthy mentally, I can make sure I pour into them and help them as well.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
Eustress at work looks like for me being up on all my current tasks at work. Specifically at home, it looks like me not having to take work home and me being relaxed and at ease.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD TELL SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN YOUR PROFESSION OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU ARE?
I would tell them that it’s important for them to know themselves and what makes them less stress. I would tell them to take the time and develop some stress free things that they can go through.
ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU’RE UP TO?
I am currently working on my LCSW to become a clinical social worker so I can one day work in the VA Hospital and help military veterans.
HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION?
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