THE STRONG FRIEND (recap of the Strong Friend Meet Up)
What is a “Strong Friend”? According to many, a strong friend is the one who always has your back. She is the one who gives you all the pep talk, the one who is not afraid to stand up for her friends, the one who always appears to have it all sorted out. She is the go-to girl who some like to call the 'agony aunt', or even the 'motherly' one.
Have you thought about “The Strong Friend” needing help? No one never does. She seems to conceal her vulnerability, hold her tears, and offer endless advice or support to others, which does not mean she does not mean she does not need anyone to lean on herself.
Aquila Benjamin who is a Social Media and Marketing Strategist, better known to many as “Mimi” was once that person. Whom almost everyone leans on for help, to produce, or be a shoulder to cry on not knowing she is going through own personal issues. She took some time to divert her course from a previous event and in 75 days created “The Strong Friend Meetup”.
She created The Strong Friend Meetup for people to know that even a strong friend needs help. The three-day event was held in Washington. D.C. that housed many professionals, therapists, licensed doctors, and many more. The event had many vendors that not only sold clothes, but also items that will help in healing holistically. There were panelists who shared their testimony of suffering mental issues and imposter syndrome.
I had the privilege of attending “Finding the Balance: Managing Mental health as a Creative Professional”. The panelists share their own issues about mental health and having to be there for so many when their world is breaking into pieces. They also shared, overall taking time for yourself even if your close ones may be mad. Needing to find that balance for yourself is what keeps you sane and mentally stable.
After putting on such an amazing, educational event, Aquila felt overwhelmingly great! “Overall, I felt overwhelmed in a good way. The event was very humbling because it was created in seventy-five days before the event was to happen versus me planning Network Con. It was very challenging. I connected with sponsors I dealt with in the past and current sponsors. Many sponsors pulled out. This event took a lot of strategizing to assure funds were in place. Majority of the event was free.”
We all know we are dealing with trying times, why did you feel the need to put on The Strong Friend Meetup? “Putting on this event was much needed, for many think they need to hold on to that “Strong Friend” title. This title causes many to suffer in silence from pain, hurt, needing to heal, and learn to become advocates for their own holistic wellness. Having The Strong Friend Meetup, I suffer from bipolar disorder, anxiety, and imposter syndrome in which I can have episodes that get in the way of my mental health. Over the years, I have learned to coexist with my mental illness by being more spiritual, taking my medication, and having various coping mechanisms to get me through each day helps me to stay focused.”
Remember, if you are the Strong Friend, abolish the title, speak up, and take time for yourself. Needing more information head over to IG: The Strong Friend Meetup.
