‘So Yuh Good Doh?’ Alicia Edwards creates mental health journal
Published:Wednesday | November 8, 2023 | 12:07 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
The phrase, ‘Mentally, I’m here’ is a line that resonates in people’s minds and hearts both locally and internationally. Alicia Edwards is a firm believer in the importance of mental health for our overall well-being, and she has created a journal specifically dedicated to this worthy cause.
“The purpose of this journal is to have a check in with yourself. My inspiration to create it came from God. He’s the one that gave me the vision. As a mental health advocate, I was starting the conversations and spreading awareness surrounding mental health. But I still felt like there was more to do,” she told Lifestyle.
Closer to home, additional inspiration came from her late brother, who had experienced mental health challenges and had tragically lost his life as a result. “That’s when I realised that mental health awareness needs to be a priority. The book is actually dedicated to him. I didn’t want it to hit home for others before they saw the importance of it like what happened with me and my family,” she revealed.
What’s a journal without a clever name? Motivated by a popular Jamaican question, ‘So Yuh Good Doh?’, she explained that the query is often used to conclude a conversation and serves as a comforting gesture for those who struggle to find the right words to console someone.
Creating this day-to-day account of one’s mental space with this significant title was Edwards’ way of rethinking that narrative, giving others the opportunity and the safe space to address that question in the most authentic manner.
“Mental health resources are not affordable nor easily accessible on our island, so this is just one of the ways I wanted to contribute, creating a resource that is actually in reach,” she added.
The pages of the journal ask guided questions that assist greatly with reflection and introspection after any day. There, you are able to pen your thoughts in a meaningful way, without being judged for your written expressions on or between the lines.
Additionally, the journal includes a ‘Note To Self’ page, which offers you, the writer, the flexibility to either elaborate on your journal entry or document other significant moments from that specific day.
“The journal begins with a sample entry as a guide, just to help others to start the journalling process. It also has some Jamaican affirmations. It is a Jamaican mental health journal, after all. And I wanted it to be quotes that we could relate to and are encouraging at the same time.”
Since officially releasing her journal on October 28 of this year, the response has exceeded her expectations.
One of her favourite reviews thus far is hearing how others would initially be lost for words when it came to making entries in other journals, due to the blank pages. And how, in contrast, relieved they felt in following the guided questions, which made the process easier.
“Journalling provides a safe and private space to express and process your thoughts and emotions, bringing them to the surface,” Edwards said, adding, “Writing down your feelings can help you gain clarity, release pent-up emotions, and reduce stress. It allows you to explore and understand your inner-world, which can lead to increased self-awareness and self-reflection, as well as help you organise your thoughts and make sense of complex situations.”
By putting experiences into words, she says, persons are able to gain new insights and perspectives on challenging situations. This problem-solving tool can help to identify patterns or triggers that impact mental well-being, and track progress and growth over time.
Her hope is to help others identify and process their emotions in a healthy way. “I also hope that this will be the start of more mental health conversations happening in our country and end the stigma that you have to look or act a certain way to not be okay mentally. I can only pray that this inspires more mental health resources to become available to us as it is very well needed.”
‘So Yuh Good Doh? A Jamaican Mental Health Journal’ can be found at My Jamaica by Sun Island in Liguanea Plaza or online at www.sygdjournal.com.