The ascent of a mental health advocate : Edna Freeman? Edna Freeman is an American mental health advocate and mother who has overcome childhood trauma in her own life and is passionate about ensuring today’s children don’t need to suffer without early intervention. Edna uses her story of overcoming traumatic childhood abuse to show others that they are not alone and that there is no shame in asking for help.
What is your process for helping young children and teens confront and overcome trauma? The goal is to guide them to the right organizations, medical professionals and sharing my story. I feel that some people tend to see mental illnesses as a taboo or something made up. I want the voices and needs of people and kids with mental illness to be heard. I want them to understand and learn to be gentle with themselves. Parents are also learning to be parents, so yes, a parent can cause trauma on their kids. One scenario is by bringing their own traumas to their kids.
For readers who feel they need to discuss trauma and abuse they’ve suffered, what should they do? Looking for a therapist is the first step or an organization like NAMI. My tip is to really find a therapist you like and feel a connection with. I had many therapists throughout the years, but only half were a good match. It is ok to try and feel before committing.
Edna Freeman is a Brazilian survivor of abuse during childhood and adolescence, and currently uses her personal experience to help children and adults who are experiencing this type of situation. She is a mother of two and currently lives in San Francisco, United States, with her family. It is incredible to see the amount of dedication she has to help those who are going through all these problems and need someone who knows how to deal with each particular case. Edna is currently working on setting up her own organization that will help treat children and adolescents who have suffered abuse and trauma.
Politics is a subject that Edna has always been interested in, and after getting her American citizenship, she decided to get very involved in the subject, even running to be one of the representatives of Hillary Clinton. On her journey in the political world, she met a number of influential people in the United States, names like Christine Pelosi, who is a political strategist and the daughter of Nancy Pelosi House Speaker Tim Kaine, Virginia Senator and candidate for vice president at Democratic ticket with Hillary Clinton and California Senator Scott Winner.
“When I went to the casting, they thought I was Asian. Then I said ‘no, Latin’. Days later, they chose me. I had no idea that I would be chosen. I was amazed and, at the same time, happy, without believing. It was wonderful, “he admitted. The work was done at Mission Dolores Park, famous for hosting good artistic performances, and which was partially closed on the day of the recording and the photo shoot. In a short time, there it was printed on billboards, buses and subway stations, among other tourist spots in SanFran, as the city is affectionately called.
