Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetrice Smith.
Demetrice, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
From as early as third grade I felt an overwhelming feeling of constant sadness. Of course as a kid I had no idea what it was or how to explain how I was feeling. Later when in college, I did some research and discovered I was battling depression. I was later diagnosed with clinical depression and found out that my triggers were both biological, and hereditary. Plagued with migraine headaches for years, I did not know that mental illness would be a battle I would fight for over 30 years. After my Mom passed away, things changed for me in many ways, both good and bad. I sunk into a deep depression for months and wanted to die. During an encounter with God one evening at home, the Lord pulled me out of the cave called depression, gave me supernatural insight into it, and He equipped me with an authority over it! That authority I soon discovered enabled me to help others battling mental illnesses, particularly depression. I began to take classes and obtain certifications from accredited organizations on topics such as Mental Health First Aide, Wrap Facilitator, Peer Specialist, and Wellness Coach. I learned how to use every tool in my arsenal to help others, beginning with prayer. My goal is to create more meaningful conversations around mental illness: what it is, and what it is not so that people feel more comfortable taking off their masks and receiving the help they need – in time. Breaking down stigmas in society and in the church is also important to me because many still believe mental illness is only a sin and do not see the biological physiological, or other contributors to these conditions. Creeping Vine Online’s consistent focus is on mental health education & training and assessments – so that people know where they stand, and in eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of my biggest struggles included me having the courage, as an ordained minister, to tell my story. To have the boldness to come forth and say – “I struggled with mental illness for over 30 years,” left me feeling vulnerable and unsure about what impact it would have on those I was leading or possibly influencing. I knew there was a chance I would be rejected or misunderstood or even possibly ostracized.
As I began to build Creeping Vines Online Corporation (CVO), I struggled many days wondering whether what I was doing made a difference or if anyone even cared about mental health–let alone what I had to say about it.
So, many days I prayed and asked God for direction and only moved at the pace His permission allowed. It felt like a slow pace and I struggled to honor both my promises to Him and my commitment to do CVO His way in spite of the offers I received for partnerships and growth.
My intention is to leave a legacy, while changing the face of mental health and what’s said about it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Creeping Vines Online (CVO) specializes in mental health advocacy. We advocate by offering education & training, delivering customized wellness plans for groups or individuals, teaching corporate classes about Mental Health First Aide, coaching as Peer-Specialists, and helping individuals with mental health assessments.
Our audiences are general, as well as women-specific, men-specific, and youth focused. We offer campaigns quarterly that target one of these demographics and helps to provide information specific to each audience and build a greater awareness of mental health.
We are launching Mental Health Self-Care Kits this year as a way for individuals to remember to care for themselves and maintain mental balance.
We are also launching Mobile Mental Health Units to make awareness mainstream, assessments a natural part of maintaining overall health, training, education, and counseling readily available just-in-time.
What sets us apart from other mental health organizations are our broad strokes to unmask stigma, targeting diverse audiences including the church with a focus on youth mental health, and the conventionality we place on helping individuals feel comfortable saying, “I’m not okay.”
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a risk taker, somewhat independent and very creative. I suffered from an extreme hearing impairment that caused much of my situational depression and action of being a loner. I tended to do a lot of things by myself and I found myself always making or building something – my way of expressing my feelings, and overcoming the thoughts that I never fit in. I felt so different – and I was different – but I didn’t know how to bridge the gaps that existed between my desires to grow/be normal and at the same time being fearful and insecure. I have always loved learning and books and the excitement that goes with being transported and transformed by words.
Even though I was uncertain as a youth, I was always a natural leader. Instinctively I knew what to do and could reason through almost any situation and come up with a solution.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creepingvinesonline.com
- Phone: 214-494-1927
- Email: demetrice@creepingvinesonline.com
- Instagram: @creepingvinesonline
- Facebook: Creeping Vines Online
- Twitter: Creeping_vines
Image Credit:
RSoulRoyalStudios
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