The Strange is Beautiful is a blog, print publications and events I founded in 2014 that changes the way mental illnesses mind obstacles are seen, makes alternative self-help accessible and creates a positive community for those struggling.
Visit the site here: TheStrangeisBeautiful.com
Why The Strange is Beautiful?
My whole life I grew up with family and friends who have mind obstacles, including my own anxiety and depression. I felt like none of us knew how to get better and healthcare options seemed confusing and limited.
Founded in 2014, I created The Strange is Beautiful so I could figure out how to heal on my own, share my knowledge, and spread awareness of mental health. Through holistic practices I’ve blogged about, I balanced my health and today, my staff and I still post interviews, surveys, self-care advice and gain community input to make alternative self-help accessible.
Accomplishments
Recently, this June 2018, we held an Instagram discussion with POC healers and therapists on suicide and mental health resources that Remezcla spotlighted, and received 15k listens on Lavendaire’s podcastfeature of us a month later.
We’ve also held two workshops, a Self-Care Workshop and Mothership Fest welcomed us this September to teach “Yoga for Mind Obstacles.”
Since 2015, we’ve tabled at L.A. and SF Zine Festivals, and will be at this September’s SFV Zine Fest as well.
At zine fests and online, we offer The Strange is Beautiful Alternative Self-Help Guide which includes interviews with healers, a doctor, and French musician Soko. It also comes with yoga classes for anxiety, depression and panic attacks taught by 500 hour instructor and TSIB founder, Shannen Roberts.
Last October, we released our “It’s not as simple as just leaving” domestic abuse awareness, free PDF zine including interviews and advice from survivors. From self-care tips to diary entries to interviews, our blog is written by a staff of all womxn of color.
On YouTube we highlight mental health advocates and warriors such as Huffington Post and Mitú acclaimed poets Chingona Fire (Yesika Salgado and Angela Aguirre), and feature musicians with mind obstacles or who are spreading self-love for “Sadcore Sundays.”
One of our favorite moments was in December 2016 when 158 people participated in our online Self-Care Gift Exchange across the U.S. and in Canada.
Mind obstacles aren’t strange, they are common and require understanding.
#TheStrangeisBeautiful
Sending you positive vibes,
Shannen Roberts
Founding Editor-in-Chief
The Strange is Beautiful