Today we’d like to introduce you to Blessing Dada.
Hi Blessing, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m from Dublin, Ireland, and I am a 2x award-winning Black-Irish mental health writer, speaker & content creator/blogger who’s an outspoken passionate activist on various social justice issues, especially on the intersectionality of mental health awareness. I accompanied my own lived experiences with all things mental health, chronic illnesses, and disability. I raise awareness of perspectives for Black & other ethnic minority communities in Ireland. I regularly speak up on social media and in the media about mental health-related issues and have been featured on The Selfie Show with Lust for Life, New York Times, and Image Magazine. I am involved with numerous organizations, such as SpunOut. i.e., and Seechange. i.e., I can be found participating in various projects, podcasts & writing to spread awareness: through empathy and education. I started very early, at the age of 13, through school committees, in my local area and a few online spaces with penpals before I joined Instagram at 18. Ireland is not up to speed with the UK and the US regarding representation, inclusiveness, and diversity. I thought it was especially important (being a 1st generation Black-Irish to immigrant parents. We experience unique issues that are often left out in mainstream awareness, and I wanted them highlighted
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were a lot of struggles along the way, especially as we don’t have the foundations here compared to the UK and US. I also live with mental illnesses and disabilities, so being the only one speaking in the beginning and trying hard to manage my health simultaneously comes with a lot of energy that’s not there often. Racism and lack of foundational support are hard when you don’t have many folks who look like me to turn to. My life has always been particularly hard in general but getting there now with physical friends found in the past year.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a mental health activist known for being “that girl on Instagram with faith in her bio,” lol. And I’m proud of still being here, despite not wanting to most days. What sets me apart is raising awareness that you cannot be apolitical in mental health work.
For centuries, mental ill-health has been overlooked, misunderstood, stigmatised and, for a long time, inappropriately treated. Much of this is now changing (loads still need to be done), although misunderstanding and stigma are not yet things of the past. As a society, we have some way to go before the extent of mental health problems and their damage to our individual and collective wellbeing is fully recognised and comprehensively responded. Cultural competence is not an isolated aspect of medical care & the education system, but an important component of overall excellence in health care delivery. In general, to fully develop our understanding, more work is needed that takes this mandatory intersectional approach. And this is what I do, through sharing my lived experiences whenever and where ever I can via mostly writing
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Be yourself; the right community will come along your way for support and praise. Don’t be afraid of sticking out and applying to things you think are not qualified for. Your voice is unique and needed. Go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/blezzingdada
- Instagram:@blezzingdada
- Facebook: Blezzing Dada
- Twitter: blezzing dada
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@blezzingyourfeed
Image Credits
