Maverick of Mental Health, Tami Tsansai
Writer, Journalist, Mental Health Activist, Author
Photography by Jik-Reuben Pringle.
Pitch Maverick of Mental Health, Tameka A. Coley, also known as Tami Tsansai, or by her Taino name, Ke’tani, is a Jamaican polymath with nearly two decades of experience in the media, creative, and non-profit sectors.
Tami comes alive through her writing and is a journalist, mental health activist, and published author.
Her debut book, Hard Gal Fi Dead: Musings, Poems, Notes to Self, inspires people to take charge of their healing through self-study, laughter, and sharing.
What was the catalyst that made you decide to campaign and promote mental health awareness in Jamaica?
My road to advocacy/activism happened by chance; I dislike public speaking due to stage fright. Still, I understand it’s a calling for me, so I step up when needed.
I’ve contended with the stigma of mental illness since childhood. My mother has schizoaffective experiences, and her story was widely known in my community. Then, when my battles with Bipolar 1, CPTSD, and anxiety manifested, I renamed my then-lifestyle blog to Mind-Being Wellness, in 2010, so that I could document my journey and practice my writing. At the time, no one publicly discussed mental health, let alone ‘scapegoating’ themselves, so it sparked attention. People began inviting me to speak at meetings, and the rest is history.
How have you been advocating for mental health in Jamaica? Talk us through the groups and programmes you have set up to support people in the community.
I’ve organised many fundraising, healing, and awareness events through Mind-Being Wellness. In 2016, I launched the ItsOkayJA support group, for which I shared the format with a few communities. I was also a co-founder, board member, and director of the Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network (JAMHAN) from 2012 until recently.
Your book, Hard Gal Fi Dead: Musings, Poems, Notes to Self, was published in 2018; what inspired you to write the book, and what are you hoping the reader will take from it?
Realising mental health stigma comes from a lack of awareness was both my inspiration and my goal for the reader. After being institutionalised, I knew I had to show how ridiculous stigma is to prompt people to get help or find ways to support their loved ones.
What are your hopes for Jamaica in terms of mental health? Talk us through some of your upcoming mental health initiatives.
I’d love for it to be as openly discussed and widely accepted as all other daily stresses. This way, people who need care will feel comfortable seeking it, and our society will have to offer more support like mental health days, insurance, psychiatric evaluations, student assessments, etc.
For Mind-Being Wellness, men’s mental health and inner-child healing are significant priorities, so I’m developing workshops on these.
Mental health is often stigmatised in Jamaica; how have family and friends reacted to your work in this field? Do they look to you for support?
The initial reaction was a mix of grave concern about the stigma and backlash, misunderstanding, and total rejection. Though it persists to some extent, it’s noticeably less now. Practically everyone I know has turned to me for mental health recommendations at some point.
What is your advice for those going through mental health struggles?
You are not alone, even when it feels like it. There’s always help available. It may not come from your immediate circle; it could come from a therapist, support group, or employee programme, but it’s there and could be the start of your new dawn. It’s isolating to feel this way, and getting support is the only way through, so please speak up.
Where do you see yourself in the future? What are your hopes and dreams?
Future Tami is fulfilled and content with her family. I’ll write and publish more books, art, and content of various types connected to and amplified by community programmes. And I intend to have a lot of fun doing it.
Interview by Sherry Collins.
