Tenishia B. Lester

This year has been a blessing and full of travel from Dallas in January to California in February.

My MSW journey had afforded me many opportunities and here is the most recent.

I was accepted to participate in the Hazelden Betty Ford Medical Education Program in Palm Springs California at the flagship office.

We were immersed into the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Community where I shadowed a patient, participated in groups and lectures. I had conversations with people I otherwise would never have met: fellow UGA Social Workers, UGA Med Students, GA Therapists, Recovery Coaches from Quatar and a GA Recovery Coach.

More importantly I learned more about myself and how to mitigate and manage triggers, trauma and feelings. I learned to wholeheartedly lean into my spirit and trust the skills I have acquired along the way. I have shed more tears than I could count but it was all worth it.

The highlight was being able to affirm and speak life into others in their time of need. And for that I am eternally grateful!

Celebrating May as Mental Health Awareness Month and Lupus Awareness Month!

💚As of 2025, with the majority of women actively seeking resources: 1:5 Adults in the US face mental illness yearly.

1:20 Adults in the US face more serious forms of mental illness yearly.

⚠️While progress has been made, the stigma remains and the work continues!

💜LUPUS is a chronic autoimmune disease that can negatively affect organs and has the potential to be fatal.
1.5 million people (majority Black. Asian, and Hispanic women; less for Caucasian women and men in general) in the US have the disease with 16,000 new cases annually.

Despite the numbers people are still unaware or uninformed.

Both matter and one can have profound effects on the other.