Wellness
DOMONIQUE HENSLER
Promoting Mental Health Outreach and Awareness
BY : NICHOLE NAOUM
While significant strides have been
made when it comes to mental health awareness , there is still plenty of work to be done . One individual who is leveraging her career to combat stigmas surrounding mental health and contribute to the community is Domonique Hensler , Senior Director , Care Redesign Planning for Hospital & Network and Mental Health Integration , at Rady Children ’ s Hospital .
GB : What is your professional background and how has it led you to where you are today ?
DH : I have been fortunate to serve at Rady Children ’ s in various capacities for over 20 years , including facilitating a population health approach addressing the interrelated factors that influence the overall health of children . Mental health has increasingly emerged as a public health crisis . In fact , my family has been directly impacted by the mental health crisis . My daughter , Alexandra , was severely bullied in high school . As parents , we naively
Domonique Hensler thought all was well - our daughter had good grades and participated in various school activities . After a particularly cruel day at school , Alexandra was in unbearable pain and just wanted the pain to end . Fortunately , Alexandra survived her suicide attempt and is thriving today , though she has had some PTSD as a result . Today , Alexandra is 22 and a comedy entertainer on social media , leveraging the platform to de-stigmatize mental health and inspire others .
Is there any advice you can offer families regarding mental health ?
Protect your and your children ’ s emotional health as it impacts one ’ s overall well-being . As parents , we love our children unconditionally , and I have worked to be less rushed so that I listen without interruption . It is essential to avoid minimizing the problem as society tends to be bashful about discussing mental health . Warning signs include depression , anxiety , irritability , loss of interest , and poor sleep patterns . Speak to your child ’ s pediatrician and seek mental health services if he or she is struggling . Be aware of the pitfalls of social media as it is molding how young people perceive themselves . It is important for youth to have
54 GBSAN . COM | NOVEMBER 2020
Rady Children ’ s Hospital