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My parents just
don’t understand
me, they don’t hear

me, and they don’t
love me.

adolescence years and what you needed from your • Play a CARD Game or Board Game together
parents at those times. Remember your struggles (Uno/Speed/ Connect 4/Mancala)
with acne or your embarrassment at developing • Make a favorite music play list. (Listening to
early — or late. Expect some mood changes in their music is a great form of bonding)
your typical sunny child, and be prepared for more • Watch a movie or their favorite show together
conflict as he or she matures as an individual. Also, (Netflix)
simply asking your child what they need from you • Take a walk in nature
in that moment is important and validating for • Take the whole family out to play a sports game
them as well. Parents who know what’s coming can together (Local park basketball/tennis)
cope with it better. And the more you know, the • Prep and cook a meal together
better you can prepare. • Play a video game with them A Talk with GREEN Heart

Lastly, consistently re-setting the HOPE that you Naomi Burks, AMFT (Associate Marriage & Family
experience when you first laid eyes on your child Therapist) Community Inc. with Kellene Diana
is the final and most important key component for
parents who are raising children in general, while Kellene Diana’s courage for mental health awareness cannot go unnoticed. She is a part of the
accepting them for “who they are” and not who we GREEN Heart community Inc. that promotes mental health awareness. Kellene in her team
want them to be. Love your children, hug them, Naomi Burks, AMFT
kiss them, and let them know how much you care (Associate Marriage & had the opportunity to light city hall “GREEN” in Baltimore City to promote mental health
will carry them through their toughest struggles Family Therapist) awareness. GREEN Heart Community Inc. mission is for communities to talk and normalize the
with mental illness and life in general. I cannot Naomi Burks is a conversation about mental health. Helpful Living Magazine had the opportunity to talk with
express the amount of sadness, children express School- Based Clinician Kellene to discuss the success of the organization she is a part of as well as their mission for
during sessions that they feel their parents don’t and Associate Marriage the future.
love them, or how hurtful it feels to have “Never” and Family Therapist.
heard the words “I Love You” or “I’m Proud of You” Growing up in the heart
come out of their parent’s mouth. of East Oakland Nao- HL: How did GREEN Heart Community Inc. knew in my heart that there was so much more
There is that favorite saying actions speak louder mi’s life was filled with get started? for me! So, one day I made a conscious decision
than words. I am here to tell you not in this case! trials and tribulation For a very long time I was full of anxiety, depres- and I said out loud “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”! It is
Remember, express your love for your children and that’s why her pas- sion, fear, anger, self-doubt, low self-esteem and time to fight for the Kellene that I knew was on
often, they need to hear it. sion is bringing healing to people who have alcohol. Everything was hurting me emotionally, the inside waiting for an invitation to show her
been through a similar traumatic/stressful mentally and physically! But, as scary as it was, greatness! I got into therapy and I got real seri-
Activities that I recommend for parents to bond experience. She helps her clients and fami- ous about my healing!
with their children are simply just showing an inter- lies find healthy perceptions of themselves I took a stand and put up a serious fight for my
est in their likes. Making the event and conversa- and strengthen their relationships so they soul, my health, my spirit and everything that
tion about them. Relating to your children current can know themselves as peaceful, complete, matters in this life! I stopped caring about what My struggles became my triumph and a very
experiences will allow parents to connect with their whole and safe. people thought and started caring more about clear vision of what my purpose is supposed to
child on a deeper level. getting better. I got so tired of the panic attacks, be in this life. I was supposed to get better at
the constant tears, the “what ifs,” the fears, the giving to others and to encourage them to do
lack of self-confidence and the hangovers! I the same. With that being said I became an un-

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