WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: KEYADD MILLER
Working in a school setting can be challenging for multiple reasons and as a counselor you have to deal with an array of challenges with the students. Keyadd handles these challenges on a daily basis and I have witnessed first hand how he is able to not only engage but also help his students find solutions. Check out how Keyadd adds Eustress to his life!
HEY KEYADD, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
I am a School Social Worker at Sugar Creek Charter School and I have been working there for the past three years.
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
Yes, I think about my mental health quite often. Social work can be a very stressful field at times and sometimes the challenges from work tend to weigh on you.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
For me something that is unique for what I do is dealing with the intersectionality of academics, mental health, and resources. Some of the students and families that I work with don't have adequate housing, food, and/or clothing. While I would like to make sure every student has what they need at the end of a school day or week, sometimes it's not within the capabilities of my job capacity to do so and that does keep me up away night sometimes.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES?
I realized that I should take more of my mental health into account during my second year of work when I noticed my work production starting to suffer somewhat and my motivation begin to drop. I wasn't as thrilled to be at work nor was I feeling rested day to day.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I began to speak to my mother more about work stressors because she was also a school social worker and is currently a mental health therapist. She was able to provide great advice regarding dealing with stressors. I also would decompress with my fiance with as much as confidentiality would allow and I began to workout and play basketball more frequently as well which helped me relieve stress.
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
It helps me stay sharp, refreshed, and motivated. I am able to walk in to work with a clear mind and with a healthy mind state as so I can assess situations quickly and adequately as so I provide the best service possible for the families I work with.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
Good stress is enjoying my vacations, upward mobility, a positive home life, a good employee/ employer relationship, and having a positive spousal relationship.
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 you can't change the world in one day. I'd tell them that they are going to have to accept the fact that they're going to lose sometimes, not every situation is gone to turn out to be positive. I'd tell them that they have to find out quickly when enough is enough and not to offer work themselves.
ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU’RE UP TO?
Right now I'm working on a podcast in which me and a group of colleges with various backgrounds will be talking about culturally relevant topics within the black community and I'll be posting on my social media platforms the topics and release dates. Other than I'm just trying to save the world one child at a time.
HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Instagram:
king__yaadd
Email:
millerk30@winthrop.edu
