PM: TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED
MO: I am Minnie Ocasio, the creator of the Zumba-Combat-Kick-A-Thon. An annual event raising awareness on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention through Fitness. At this event, there is also different Mental Health Agencies such as RU Okay Berks, Betterview Counseling and Trauma Recovery, and more providing resources to the attendees. With a Social Work background and wanting to do more for the community, I wanted to use my platform to raise awareness on a topic that is personal to me. Little did I know that it would start a movement.
PM: TELL US ABOUT TRAUMAS, DARK PLACES & DEPRESSION
MO: Four years ago, I was in a dark space in my life, and no one knew as I often present bubbly, and cheerful. I was masking my Depression and my childhood traumas and was naïve to the idea of receiving help as I am a professional myself. I am often the one that everyone runs to, and I was struggling with my own depression until one day I just wanted all the intrusive thoughts to disappear. I just wanted to escape, and I attempted to take my own life.
PM: A FAILED SUICIDE ATTEMPT AND FINDING YOUR WAY BACK
MO: What was a failed attempt I quickly realized that I needed to seek the appropriate help. I became involved with therapy, a local gym, Retro Fitness, and was able to learn the tools and coping skills that best work for me whether in therapy or a gym session. I found myself at the gym in a Body Combat class and was inspired to become certified. Since then, I promised myself to use my platform to be a voice and raise awareness by creating ‘The Zumba-Combat-Kick-A-Thon.’
PM: TELL US ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM
MO: I reached out to some fitness friends who inspired me in some way throughout my journey, Val Makowiecki, Christine Turman, Gregory Smith, and Chantel Logan, my team that has rallied behind me to make this event possible. Also, as this idea came to mind, I reached out to local people in the community who helped sponsor this such as Double Tree Hotel, DJ Check for Me, Sugar & Sweets by Ami, and many more.
PM: WHY DID YOU TURN YOUR PAIN INTO AWARENESS?
MO: I turned my pain, and my story into awareness in hopes of reaching out to at least one person. I always had the mindset to save the world but if I can save one person’s world one person at a time through my story then that serves my ongoing purpose.
Minnie Ocasio’s Advice: This is your friendly reminder that you are indeed so loved, worthy, enough, and unstoppable.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline/Languages: English, Spanish/Hours: Available 24 hours
Photo Credit: Bearded Photography by Sean Reilly.
Rosa J. Parra
