Taking Care of Our Mental Health
Taking Care of Our Mental Health: A Personal Commitment and a Shared Purpose
By Tamara Dopwell, LMSW
I am excited to share that I am a contributing author to Taking Care of Our Mental Health, alongside fellow faculty members from the Social Work Department at Medgar Evers College.
As a social worker, therapist, educator, and founder of Let’s Talk About It Inc., I have seen how much people carry while continuing to show up for their families, classrooms, workplaces, and communities. This publication is an opportunity to contribute to a conversation that matters deeply to me: how we make room for our mental health in everyday life.
We often ask, “How are you?” without leaving much space for an honest answer. Someone may say, “I’m fine,” while navigating grief, uncertainty, family responsibilities, or emotional exhaustion. Taking care of our mental health begins with making room for those experiences—and recognizing that we deserve support.
Making Space for Ourselves
Mental health deserves attention throughout our lives. We do not have to wait until we feel overwhelmed to pause and consider what we need.
For me, this means encouraging questions such as:
What am I feeling, and what might that feeling be telling me?
Where do I need support?
What responsibilities can I realistically manage today?
What helps me feel connected, rested, and grounded?
The answers will look different for each person. Sometimes caring for ourselves means setting a boundary. Sometimes it means having an honest conversation, accepting help, or making time for something we enjoy.
These actions may seem small, but they give us opportunities to respond to our needs with greater care.
A Conversation That Includes Our Communities
Our mental health conversations must also make room for the circumstances people live in. Financial pressure, caregiving demands, discrimination, and access to resources belong in that conversation.
When someone is struggling, I want us to ask more than, “What can you do differently?” We can also ask, “What support would make this easier?” That question invites compassion and shared responsibility.
Through my work with Let’s Talk About It Inc., I seek to create spaces where students, parents, educators, and community members can talk openly about their experiences. I want people to feel comfortable naming a challenge, asking a question, and seeking support without shame.
Bringing This Purpose Into the Classroom
Teaching at Medgar Evers College gives me opportunities to explore these ideas with future social workers. I encourage students to consider how they will care for themselves while learning to support others.
I also want them to understand that asking for help can be part of responsible practice. We bring our humanity into this work. Reflection, boundaries, and supportive relationships deserve a place in our professional development.
Contributing to Taking Care of Our Mental Health alongside fellow Social Work Department faculty is especially meaningful because it connects my work as an educator with my commitment to community conversation.
An Invitation to Keep Talking
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute my voice to this publication. My hope is that it encourages readers to reflect on their own needs, check in with someone they care about, and make space for honest discussion.
You do not need to have every answer before you begin. You can start with a simple question: “What do I need today?”
I look forward to sharing Taking Care of Our Mental Health and continuing this conversation with you.
Tamara Dopwell, LMSW
Contributing Author | Adjunct Lecturer, Medgar Evers College
Founder, Let’s Talk About It Inc.
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