Pivoting Towards Mental Health with Raven Gibbs

Here's the full interview from my chat with Raven Gibbs, Raven is a mental health change agent. She leans into what it really means to be healthy whole and well across all spectrums of life. 

 Q. What has the journey been that brought you here?

I am named after the first Black ballerina Raven Wilkinson and with that, I really had no choice but to dance. At first I was forced to go and I got into trouble because of my mouth. I would talk a lot, and I still do, but it’s okay because now it’s a part of what I do. Along the way , I ended up liking it because at an early age, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I didn’t know how to manage it until I took a deep dive into dance. 

Q. When you talk about an early age, what was that process like, figuring that out for yourself?

That process was scary. It was very scary because you don’t understand mental health, and when it’s explained to you, at any age honestly, it can be quite a confusing subject. So when you hear you have a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder, you’re not really understanding that term, all you’re hearing is, “There’s something wrong with me and I don’t know how to fix this.” You just know that some days I’m sad and I just don’t want to get out of bed. Some days I don’t like myself. As a thirteen or fourteen year old that is hard to process. So it was very scary and I channeled a lot of that energy into dance and extra curricular activities. 

I realized at a later age that the depression that I deal with is high functioning, so I pile a lot of things on what I already do so I feel some type of satisfaction with my life and with who I am. 

 Q. Could you break that down some more? What is high functioning depression? I don’t think people hear those terms together often enough.

The easiest way I can break this down is that my brother will call me and say, “Raven, you’re doing too much. I know where this is going” It’s basically me trying to substitute how I’m feeling with work or things that can be constructive or productive, but they’re not always necessary. I’m saying “Yes” to a lot more things and saying “No” to myself instead of taking care of me and giving myself that yes and permission to take that rest and take care of myself. 

In my head I’m thinking, “If I do this, I’ll feel better about myself becauseI have used my time wisely. I don’t have to think about myself. I’m not sad right now. I’m reaching this accolade. I’m able to say I did this or I accomplished that. And it’s not always the case. It gives a great facade.

Q. I love that you had the courage to listen to your soul. Talk a bit more about what that was like for you.

I was just telling my brother, I love the word audacity. The fact that you have the audacity to go and chase after your dreams, to go forth and reach them… That’s powerful! That’s strong! You have the audacity to wake up this morning even though you didn’t feel your best and you got up and you made your bed. You got up!

Q. What now?! This has been the journey, where is this leading you now? What do you think the space you’ve been called into looks like on this journey?

My biggest thing is having kids be more comfortable with understanding their mental state and having their own safe spaces to communicate those needs. That has always been important to me. Even when we opened the dance studio, it was never about just dancing. Even the name, Motiv8, the motive, the purpose is the 8 count, but it’s also about what’s inside. We would start and end our sessions with love and ask them what they may need to talk about. I always wanted to create these spaces for kids. They go to school and they’re told to sit there and they’re told to learn. They come home and there’s generally not a lot of time for that full expression of themselves because they come home, eat, do homework and go to bed soon after, which is great for the parents. 

I’ve always wanted to create a space for expression where they’re allowed to just be and not be in the way that their teachers want them to be or their parents or even their siblings. I want them to just be, find their most authentic selves and present that.

Q. Mental health for entrepreneurs:  What are some of the pieces that you’re seeing for these professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs as they journey forward as some of them are not taking care of their mental health at all?

Let’s break down some basic statistics: 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with a mental illness… this year. So I could hang out with a group of five and one of us is that person. Mental illness and substance abuse, this year, will cost employers between $79 and $105 billion. That statistic alone should make you want to say, “Let’s address this”.

An it's especially hard for entrepreneurs for a number of reasons:

1. We take more on than we should
2. We aren’t able to delegate tasks because of control
3. We don’t prioritize ourselves.

I prioritize my self care by scheduling it. 99% of people don’t schedule in time for self care the same way they schedule work. We need to pencil in time for ourselves. Even if it’s just a quick body scan. Create a “Me Time” where you set aside a specific time of the day to center yourself, whether that be taking a nap, reading a book, or cleaning out that catch-all chair. 

Q. Diving deeper, we talked about protecting your mental health, protecting your well-being, your self care. You mentioned boundaries, can you give us Boundaries 101?

No... That is my favorite word. Two year olds have the game on lock! They’re very adamant about what they do and don’t want. They have a beautiful display of boundaries, learn from a 2 year old! 

 As far as boundaries in the workspace,

1. If you have office hours, entrepreneurs, honor them! I know the temptation is there to continue to work, but you don’t get a gold star for burning yourself out.
2. Delegate. You have staff and support for a reason. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, this is what you built your social circle for. Those that are able to be vulnerable, ask for help and accept it along with constructive criticism are the strongest people I know because they recognize their need and they open themselves up to ask for the “Yes” or the “No”.

Q. What are the opportunities for leaders to create a culture where self care and proper boundaries are upheld?

1. In a professional way, check your employees. If you see that 8 o’clock email and we’re done at 6, let them know you appreciate value the work they do, but there isn’t a sense of urgency that requires them to work beyond work hours.
2. Implement mental health days. Let your employees know they are encouraged to take mental health days with proper notice, which would be decided by you: a quick email or text, etc. saying “Mental health day”

Q. What are some symptoms of burnout?

For me personally, I am tired all the time, but I will not sleep. My brain will not shut off even though I’m exhausted. I also noticed that I don’t eat as much or I’ll overeat just to compensate for whatever feelings I have not dealt with or released. Or subtle things in my routine will start to change or be off. 

Another thing, The simplest tasks will seem so difficult. The signs are different for everyone, but be more aware of things in your routine that change. That’s where you’ll notice that you’re possibly headed for burnout. 

If you keep living/working at a fast unsustainable pace, you’ll burnout. Think of Usain Bolt. He can only sustain top speed for so long before he has to slow down and then stop so he can refuel. 

Q. What are simple things our listeners can start implementing today?

1. Give yourself grace with redirecting. What I mean here is if you’re dealing with burnout, start to focus on subtle life changes that have a sustainable impact.
2. Take a break to regain control. Pause, and remember that you do have the power and ability to solve your own problems. Realize that you are not doomed to stay in that state forever. Give yourself permission to come out of that state. You have the wisdom, tools, and support in any situation to overcome. 
3. Use your support system. They lift you and you lift them. You’re the leader and you need your team as much as they need you. If you need help, be open and communicate the issues you’re struggling with. The strongest people I know give themselves the permission to be supported by others. 

Thanks for joining us! You can follow Raven on Instagram @raven_nicole_  

 Check out the full interview with Raven below!