Building Your Mental Wellness Recipe with Laurel Browne

In this September bonus episode of the Seasonal Sisters Podcast, Janice Saunders sits down with Laurel Browne, a community outreach and health communications professional, for an honest conversation about mental health, wellness, and the importance of giving yourself grace. Laurel shares how her career journey took her from clinical psychology to public health and health communications, and how her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic shaped her passion for improving mental health outcomes in Black and underserved communities. Janice and Laurel also talk about the barriers that can make it difficult for Black women to seek mental health support, including the pressure to always be the “strong Black woman.” They explore what it can look like to prioritize your mental health through therapy, supportive relationships, rest, boundaries, prayer, healthy habits, creativity, and simply checking in with yourself. Together, they create a practical “recipe” for mental wellness that starts with one important ingredient: grace, not perfection. Most importantly, this episode reminds us that it’s okay to not be okay. You don't have to stay in a difficult moment alone, and reaching out for support is a healthy habit. In This Episode Laurel’s journey from clinical psychology to public health and health communications Why culturally responsive mental health care matters The pressure of the “strong Black woman” narrative How to recognize when you need support Giving yourself grace instead of expecting perfection Setting boundaries and protecting your mental wellness The connection between mental health and physical health Food, hydration, movement, and other daily wellness habits The importance of rest and quality sleep Using prayer, breathing, and mindfulness to manage stress How friendships and family support contribute to wellness Creative expression as a mental wellness tool Creating your own personal “mental wellness recipe” Knowing when to reach out for professional or crisis support Episode Timestamps; 00:00 A Note on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention 01:13 Meet Laurel Browne 04:49 Following Your Dreams Through Life Changes 12:51 Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Care 13:57 How Laurel Prioritizes Her Mental Health 20:20 Reaching Out for Help 23:41 Managing Stress & Practicing Rest 28:10 Creating Your Mental Wellness Recipe 34:23 The Importance of Sleep 37:24 Creativity as a Wellness Tool 40:36 Laurel’s Mental Health Work 43:26 Mental Health Resources 45:29 It’s Okay to Not Be Okay Resources & Mentions Black Health Matters NAMI NYC (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Harlem Hope Center The Therapist Next Door 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline This Is Your Brain on Food by Dr. Uma Naidoo Rest Is Resistance Seasonal Sisters Healthy Habits Inspirational Wellness Card Deck Andre 3000’s instrumental album Lavender essential oil and aromatherapy If you're having a difficult day, take a moment to pause and acknowledge how you're feeling. You don't have to fix everything at once. Give yourself grace, reach out to someone you trust, and remember that emotions can change. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was mentioned in this episode as a resource for people in the United States. And remember Janice’s reminder: phone a friend. It is a healthy habit. Connect with Laurel Browne and other resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-browne-7bb326195/ National Association of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/ Hope Center: https://hopecenterharlem.org/ https://www.thetherapistnextdoor.co/ Follow Janice Saunders on: Website: https://www.yourseasonalsister.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjanicesaunders/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealjanicesaunders/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seasonal_sisters_coaching Listen to the Seasonal Sisters Podcast on: Podcast Website: https://seasonal-sisters-podcast.simplecast.com/ Sign up for the Seasonal Healthy Habits Collective Email List: https://www.yourseasonalsister.com/opt-in-ca75f4f1-2d85-4bb1-8f37-5a5c48a2b697