Like many other professionals in the field of mental health, when the pandemic shut-down began, Laverne Williams was stuck at home feeling a burning desire to do what she always does – help people who are living with mental health challenges! As a Deacon, a social worker, and the founding Director of the MHANJ’s Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality (PEWS) Program, Ms. Williams’ unique perspective got her thinking – how could she reach people who were so isolated in this time of dire need for emotional support? Armed with a network of professionals gleaned over the last 36+ years she was ready to take action, creating a brand-new Zoom/Facebook Live program – “Thankful Tuesdays”.
What is “Thankful Tuesdays”?
“Thankful Tuesdays” is a weekly interactive event, going strong with 102 episodes so far. It features insights, education, mental health strategies, resources and tips shared by Ms. Williams and a special guest or guests. The interviewees represent a vast range of disciplines and areas of expertise; the list has included reverends, police, diversity and inclusion specialists and community outreach leaders, just to name a few.
Explaining why she created the program, Ms. Williams shared, “I knew people were more isolated and becoming anxious and depressed during the pandemic due to an array of losses: some lost loved ones, lost jobs and others were just losing their sense of normalcy.” She was intuitively aware that people could benefit from coming together. “I wanted to have a safe place for anyone to come, to share their thoughts, wisdom and what they were experiencing during this difficult time.”
Rave Reviews
“Thankful Tuesdays” has been a great success garnering a loyal weekly audience, with more than 100 attendees for certain presentations. The program has broad appeal to the general public and is especially helpful to staff and volunteers of local mental health organizations, people living with mental health disorders, families and clergy. Although focused on New Jersey resources, the show draws viewers from Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and other states.
“Regulars” and new audience members alike are reached through the heartfelt wisdom delivered by Ms. Williams (also known as “Miss Laverne” to some) and the information shared by her guests. Several attendees have disclosed that “Thankful Tuesdays” prompted them to seek help as it raised their awareness of signs of mental health disorders.
It’s hard to deny the power of Ms. Williams’ care and concern about people, so appropriately summed up in the signature closing of her program every week when she states, “I love you all on purpose and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.”
About Ms. Williams
Ms. Williams is a Deacon at Union Baptist Church in Montclair where the Reverend Dr. Campbell B. Singleton III is the senior pastor. Deacon Williams holds the following certifications: Wrap facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and QPR certification. Most recently, the NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) presented Ms. Williams with the Enhancing Wellness & Recovery through Spirituality Award at their fall conference.
Tune In and Reach Out
