Mental Health & SCD: Understanding Anxiety and Emotional Wellness

Category:Health & Wellness → Mental Health Education – Anxiety 

Participants:

  • Moderators: Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director & Founder, Cayenne Wellness Center
  • Dr. Ethiopia Jackson

Guest Speaker:

  • Misty Williams
  • Gladys Hubbard,

Course Description:
This empowering session from Cayenne Wellness Center’s Mental Health Mini-Seminar Series explores the intersection of anxiety and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through the lived experiences of warriors and the insights of mental health professionals. Moderated by Dr. Ethiopia Jackson, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and past president of the Association of Black Psychologists, the discussion highlights the emotional realities of living with SCD and the importance of culturally responsive, holistic care.

Hosted by Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Founder and Executive Director of Cayenne Wellness Center, this conversation dives deep into how anxiety manifests within the sickle cell community — from medical trauma and systemic racism to daily stress and resilience. Featuring Sickle Cell Warriors Misty Williams and Gladys Hubbard, the session provides heartfelt storytelling, practical coping strategies, and a reminder that “we deserve to live lives that don’t always require such resilience.”

Participants will learn about:

  • Recognizing and managing anxiety as a normal human response to chronic illness and adversity
  • The impact of cultural context, trauma, and environmental factors on mental health
  • The importance of self-advocacy and therapy for Sickle Cell Warriors
  • Creating safe spaces for emotional expression within families and care teams
  • Building community support and accessing Cayenne Wellness programs

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how anxiety uniquely affects individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease.
  2. Identify culturally relevant strategies to support emotional wellness and resilience.
  3. Explore the role of therapy, self-awareness, and self-advocacy in managing mental health.
  4. Recognize the need for systemic and environmental change in addressing SCD-related anxiety.
  5. Learn how to support Sickle Cell Warriors through empathy, education, and community care.

Course Content