Thoughts as we Celebrate Black History Month

In 1976, President Gerald Ford formally recognized Black History Month. He urged people to "take advantage of the occasion to honor the too-often overlooked contributions of Black Americans in every field of effort throughout our history." During this time, we recognize the contributions and legacy of African Americans throughout American history and society, including those who were leaders in business, politics, science, culture, and more. 
 
I want to take this time to acknowledge someone you would not find in any history books or publications. That is my mother, Ella Mae Davis. My mother grew up in Alabama during the civil rights movement.
 
While major cities like Birmingham and Tuscaloosa were receiving media coverage for their marches, bus boycotts, sit-ins, and church bombings, African Americans in the smaller towns lived in constant terror of their city officials, law enforcement, educators, healthcare systems, businesses, landowners, and Jim Crow laws. The KKK and those affiliated with it did not hide behind a mask. She would say that as sharecroppers, their oppression was much worse than the African Americans that lived in big cities. Whenever an event happened in the big cities, the locals would increase their violent terroristic behavior to make sure none of them would even think to change from the status quo.
 
She moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1976 to find a better opportunity. With little resources, she found a job as a janitor in the Renaissance Center and rented a three-bedroom flat on the east side of Detroit bordering Hamtramck. Our community was a melting pot. It was Black, Polish, Arabic, Indian, Chaldean, Yugoslavian, German, Irish, and Italian families trying to do their best. 
 
My mother was the neighborhood's mother, and no matter what race or sex you were, she treated you as one of her kids, and they all called her "mommy." My mother did not let the horrific events that happened to her, her family, and her community during the civil rights movement prevent her from loving people from different backgrounds and races. She would go on to work as a caregiver in the mental health field.
 
As a mental health survivor, advocate, and now clinician, I know what trauma does to the human body. I know how it feels to suffer in silence. I know how it feels to be stigmatized because of my race, sex, and mental health diagnosis resulting from a traumatic event beyond my control. My mother taught love over hate, which has multiplied in her children, our community, and now in her grandchildren. Thank you to the millions of men and women that will never be mentioned in any history books but made a significant impact in their small corner that has now improved the world.


Cyril Davis, RN, BSN
SPRAVATO® Staff Manager
Lakes Depression Center
How to Build a Self Care Plan
Show up for yourself by developing and committing to a self-care plan, such as nightly journaling, for a healthy and balanced life.

Self-care has never been more important. But that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to stick with a self-care regimen. Between job responsibilities, family obligations, and life’s ups and downs, we often don’t have enough time to build — much less maintain — a self-care regime. But now might be the time to start getting a little more serious about committing to a self-care plan.

Avoid Bright Lights Before Sleep
Some ways to help reduce your blue light exposure is to wear blue light blocking glasses — especially if you use a computer or other digital screen for long periods of time — and to avoid digital screens for 30 minutes to an hour before going to bed.
Avoid Work Burnout
Take your designated breaks as often as you are able. Limit the number of days you go in early or stay late. Plan to take time off for personal days and vacations. When you’re away from work, avoid checking emails and voicemails, if possible.
We provide comprehensive psychiatric and psychotherapy services for a vast array of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychotic illness, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse/addiction, trauma related issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and behavior problems. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
Did you know? SPRAVATO® can have a rapid antidepressant response and is added on to an antidepressant and the rest of your regimen. It is the first new mechanism of action to treat depression that has come out in over 30 years. 
There is hope for treatment-resistant depression. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
Lakes DBT We provide comprehensive DBT services to provide effective treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other disorders involving emotion dysregulation, including co-occurring substance use disorders, major depressive disorder, and individuals with history of trauma. At Lakes DBT Center, we believe that with effective evidence-based treatment and a caring and coordinated treatment team, clients can achieve a life worth living. 
Lakes Psychiatric Center remains open for business. We are offering Zoom online tele-therapy appointments for new and existing clients as well as in person sessions. Please contact the front desk to assist you with your appointment type or instructions for using Zoom. Call (248) 859-2457 for info.
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Lakes Depression Center is continuing to provide SPRAVATO® treatments per the usual schedule. We have enhanced our safety and cleaning protocols. You are safe to start treatment or continue treatment. Call (248) 956-7164 for info.
Susan Deutsch, LMSW 
Clinical Social Worker

Susan received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1986. She has 30+ years of clinical experience treating clients with a wide range of issues. Her practice includes adult men and women of all ages who are trying to bring about positive change in their lives. Her approach is eclectic, using a broad range of techniques from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and supportive psychotherapies. Areas of specialty include: Depression, stress management and anxiety reduction, relationship issues, marital and divorce counseling, parenting issues, adults of any age struggling with life transition issues, and mood disorders with co-morbid substance abuse.
Jessica Martin, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker

Jessica received her Master’s of Social Work from Michigan State University in 2016 and has experience in the residential and community mental health settings. Jessica has certifications and extensive experience in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) among other treatment modalities. Jessica works with various populations including adolescents, teens, men, and women.

Jessica focuses on a goal oriented, person centered approach to treatment and believes that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgement.