Women Who Inspire

Franzeska Sampson

Rolanda Pyle: Will you please introduce yourself to our readers and give us a little background information? Family? Children? Career? Hobbies? Where are you from? (city and state) as well as short testimony?
Franzeska Sampson: My name is Franzeska Sampson. I am a Social Worker, Educator, current doctoral candidate, and Transformational Life Coach. I am the founder of Taking Care of our Mental Health LLC and TCOOMH INC. The primary goal of these two organizations is to raise mental health awareness within religious communities and provide needed resources. I am the lead author of Taking Care of Our Mental Health: From a Christian Perspective and Will You Still Love Me? Mental Health and Relationships. A brief history of my social work career entails working with youths residing in foster care providing home base therapy and enabling them to remain stable in their community with their caregiver. Counseling homeless families in shelter settings as they have encountered complex traumatic histories and currently teaching Social Work and Sociology at two colleges.

I am the mother of three amazing young men. Being a mother is one of the highlights of my life because this role has taught me vital attributes, such as patience, unconditional love, and forgiveness. I was born in the Caribbean, Guyana, South America, and moved to the US at age 15. I currently reside in Queens, NY. My hobbies are exploring and enjoying nature, traveling, writing, and listening to music. Becoming a social worker was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. Social work is not only a career for me but a calling and a mandate God placed
on my life. I’ve been called to educate and transform lives empowering people to live better lives and reach their fullest potential.

RP: What prompted you to follow your current career path?
FS: Initially, I was interested in a career in nursing. I started off taking the foundational courses. However, I realized I did not like the hands-on work after a two-week internship. What I enjoyed more were the conversations I had with my clients and being able to connect them to resources. This sparked my passion for the social work field. I decided to take an introductory class. After meeting with a social worker for an interview, which was a requirement for this class, she confirmed what I was feeling. That was social work is the career path that I should take. Words have power, and what we say to each other matters. I recall our conversations to this date. For this reason, I am keen on the words I say to someone who has the desire to explore a new career path.
 

RP: What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect of social work and/or mental health when it comes to faith-based programs?
FS: Many faith-based programs and institutions continue to have stigmas against the term mental health. Believers often think that engaging in mental health treatment means they are not trusting in God. We have believers in the church battling mental health in silence daily, yet they neglect themselves and do not seek treatment. The statistics show that Pastors, Ministers, and those in other clergy positions are at an increased rate of experiencing mental health concerns.

Over the past five years, many churches have been receptive to bringing mental health awareness to their platform. Although this is progress, there is a need to continue the work. I believe there needs to be a ministry tailored to mental health issues and concerns. Churches have ministries that address various issues, including medical health but not mental health. Additionally, churches need to establish linkages and alliances with community-based organizations. The most challenging aspect of social work in all realms is the systematic and structural barriers that often prevent social workers from doing needed work. These barriers often cause frustrations with clients and then later result in non-compliance. There is a vast need for more social workers to enter the political arena to assist with policy-making and legislation.
 

RP: How does your faith influence your work as a mental health professional/social worker?
FS: When working with clients, I’ve often asked God for discernment because sometimes it’s more than what the theoretical practices say. Sometimes we need that insight from God before beginning the practice. I’ve practiced the Christian faith all my life. One of the things I’ve observed that remains consistent is the treatment of persons with mental health concerns. Often, they will receive prayer but not resource that follows. My faith and observation have influenced me to be the founder of Taking Care of Our Mental Health LLC. I wanted to begin normalizing mental health conversations in places of worship, letting people know that it’s ok to engage in your religious practice and still seek needed therapy.
 
RP: What are some of the common Biblical principles that you apply to the situations you face in your daily job duties?
FS: God says to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and everything else will be added. Matthew 6:33. I seek God first before accepting a position. Due to my knowledge that social work is a calling in my life, I know that God has jobs aligned for me. So, to stay within alignment, I seek him first. I am always compassionate and show Christian love towards the persons I work with. In the social work field, most of our clients are vulnerable populations who
have been rejected by society. Showing empathy, compassion, and Christian love makes it easier to work with clients and help them to be successful with their goals.

RP: As Christians, we are called to help others, so with the current state of affairs concerning mental health, what is the most commonly recommended way for communities to help those in need?
FS: Continued awareness is vital. We must start the conversations in our home with our children and grandchildren. There are vastly increased rates of children battling mental illnesses and committing suicide. Children as young as five years old have suicidal thoughts and idealizations. We must give children an outlet and a voice to share how they feel. Networking and collaboration are vital for raising awareness’s and sharing resources. I believe that more community-based
mental health organizations should take that step and collaborate with religious institutions. There is a need for additional access to care in poor and under-served communities where the need is vast. Persons in poor communities often travel long distances to engage in mental health care. There is also the need to make mental health care affordable and not put a cap on care with insurance coverage. Maintaining wellness is essential, and someone should not have to wait for a
crisis to seek mental health care.