Season 2, Ep. 5 – Demystifying Mental Health with Counselor Kesley

In this informative and compassionate episode of Unity Through Diversity, Gina is joined by Kesley, a licensed professional counselor from Tennessee, for a timely conversation on mental health awareness, stigma, and the evolving landscape of therapeutic care.

Together, they unpack the difference between mental health and mental illness, discuss the societal pressures that keep people from seeking help, and explore how education, accessibility, and holistic healing can create more inclusive and effective mental health care.

🧠 Inside this episode:

• Understanding mental health vs. mental illness—and why the distinction matters

• How stigma has shaped public perception of mental illness compared to physical health

• The rise in mental health diagnoses—not because people are “sicker,” but because they’re finally seeking help

• A look at the most common diagnoses today: anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD

• Insurance, over-diagnosis, and the complicated reality of mental health care access

• Generational shifts in attitudes toward therapy and diagnostic labels

• How Kesley integrates holistic tools into traditional counseling—and why it works

Kesley also shares her personal mission to help others find their voice, especially those who have been overlooked by the system, including incarcerated individuals. The episode ends with reflections on what it means to live a fulfilled life, build emotional awareness, and walk the healing journey with authenticity.

🎧 Tune in and join the conversation—because understanding mental health is the first step to changing the narrative.

 

You may connect with Kesley: www.denney-counseling.com

Enjoy the podcast!

 

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About the Host:

Gina Anayana is the host of Unity Through Diversity. She is the founder and president of the nonprofit organization United We Go, an intuitive healer, and holds multiple certifications, including:

• Certified Reiki Master
• Certified Angel Card Reader
• Certified Shamangelic™ He