Jenifer Lewis - Mental Health Journey

In this episode of the mibo show, Shanti Das speaks with actress Jenifer Lewis about her battle with bipolar disorder and depression. 

This episode took place on location in Chicago at the Black Women’s Expo. 

Lewis said she first sought out mental health help during the AIDS epidemic when she saw her best friend covered in lesions due to the disease. She emphasized she knew over 200 people who died from the disease. 

This situation caused her to have a nervous breakdown, to which her friend told her she needed to seek help and take care of herself.

Please listen to Jenifer's very emotional story and the unique way she champions the fight for mental wellness. 

Recommended Resources:

Our Race to Health Equity (ORTHE): https://www.jnj.com/global-health-equity/our-race-to-health-equity

Depression Looks Like me: https://www.depressionlookslikeme.com/

Global mental health and well-being: https://www.jnj.com/global-health-equity/mental-health

Center for Health Worker Innovation: https://chwi.jnj.com/

Science of Stigma: https://www.jnj.com/global-mental-health/science-over-stigma-report

Community Health Equity Alliance: https://chea.nami.org/

My Health Can’t Wait (MHCW): https://www.myhealthcantwait.com/

Please support Shanti Das' non-profit: https://www.silencetheshame.com


Denise Octavia Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers
o Smith is the founding Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, where she pursues a culture of health where individuals have self-determination and dignity. Smith was previously on the mibo show with D-Nice, where they discussed Black Men and mental wellness.

Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs, President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Nevada
o Dr. Jacobs is the president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Southern Nevada and a member of the national NAMI board of directors. NAMI has previously worked with Johnson and Johnson. Dr. Jacobs was previously on the mibo show with Chris Webber, where they discussed Black men and mental wellness.

Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine (JJIM)
o JJIM/Janssen has treatments used to treat bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.d