Supporting North and South Carolinians to gain access to resources for mental wellnes
Mental Health Advocacy For the Culture
Thank you for visiting
Choose B.E.T.T.E.R. 4 U, PLLC.
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"Becoming Empowered To Transcend Every Roadblock"
A word from our president
Our LOGO is symbolically our philosophy
One of the first principles we explore is choice. The power in choosing, whether active or passive has its consequences. As people we often feel as though our choices are limited, and even if they are, there are still choices to be made. STOP GIVING UP YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE!
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The term B.E.T.T.E.R. represents a transformative acronym; one that we hold as our motto; "Becoming Empowered To Transcend Every Roadblock". The lettering is in the colors of the rainbow representing that everyone's B.E.T.T.E.R. looks different. The logo in itself represents the possibilities being full of hope as the "sun" provides a silver lining and light in the uncertainty of the skies. We all know that rainbows have two necessary components- light and water (rain). Life will have its challenges, and to grow through each level of challenge is key to becoming B.E.T.T.E.R.! We can not tell you what your B.E.T.T.E.R. is, however, we can assist you in developing strategies to achieve what you deem as B.E.T.T.E.R. for you.
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The "4" is a nod of respect to the city Charlotte, ("da 4") where Choose B.E.T.T.E.R. 4 U, PLLC was formalized. It also represents the 4 ways in which we believe we approach life issues:
1- we avoid them (ignore)
2- we move around them (overcome)
3- we work through them (resolve)
4- we pick them up and learn to live with them (make peace)
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The "U", as a singular letter, represents how many of us take on an unaccompanied trail in life. Whether you take it as good, bad, or indifferent humans are emotional creatures that are designed to crave connectivity, allegiance, and feel loved. The silo of "getting it out the mud", or "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps" are both of the same toxic message that creates distance between individuals and their goals. No matter your challenges we see "U" and want you to know that you have a space with a clinician that will walk with "U" on this journey.
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"Believing in yourself is a matter of taking the next courageous step, into a brave direction, facing the very thing that you view as opposition."
~A. Maurice Harvey, President~
You can reach me directly at amharvey@choosebetter4u.com
The Culture of Mental Health
"You must be crazy talking to a therapist!!!"
According to the National Institute of Mental Health's website "Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. "
This overwhelming statistic may depict a grave image; however imagine the unaccounted for adults who mask their struggles due to cultural norms and social cues. Instead of talking with a professional we are INFLUENCED to self medicate- alcohol, drugs, sex, food, sleep, career success, health, religion! You are probably thinking well what's wrong with being career driven, or healthy, or religious?
The answer is nothing. "Nothing is a problem until its a problem- given its moral compass is intact" (A. Maurice Harvey). However, the issue comes into play when you are neglecting problems by engaging in activities that numb the pain of the problem. The idea of sweeping dirt under the rug is cool, until you trip over the dirt pile and cause an emotional ruckus to yourself and potentially those around you.
Here are a few more statistics from the National Institute of Mental Illness' website:
- In 2019, among the 51.5 million adults with AMI, 23.0 million (44.8%) received mental health services in the past year.
- More females with AMI (49.7%) received mental health services than males with AMI (36.8%).
- The percentage of young adults aged 18-25 years with AMI who received mental health services (38.9%) was lower than adults with AMI aged 26-49 years (45.4%) and aged 50 and older (47.2%).
- In 2019, among the 13.1 million adults with SMI, 8.6 million (65.5%) received mental health treatment in the past year.
- More females with SMI (70.5%) received mental health treatment than males with SMI (56.5%).
- The percentage of young adults aged 18-25 years with SMI who received mental health treatment (56.4%) was lower than adults with SMI aged 26-49 years (65.1%) and aged 50 and older (74.3%).
What these statistics suggest is that only approximately half of the people with mental illness seek and receive treatment for their symptoms, men are less likely to seek and be treated for mental illness, and younger adults are less likely to seek and be treated for mental illness. So a young man 18-25 is less likely to seek and receive treatment from the symptoms that are causing him to be mentally ill. The time is now to change the culture of mental health. Let us guide you through the next steps to a healthier version of yourself.
