Episode 19 Healing Through Technology: Reverend Sonia Russell on Blackfullness and the Power of Mindfulness

Jul 21, 2024 | Podcast, Real Health Stories

I had the pleasure of speaking with Reverend Sonia Russell, the CEO behind the Blackfullness mental health app. We delved into her journey, discussing how she overcame personal challenges when she discovered mindfulness.

Sonia shared insights into the app’s features, which aims to support Black individuals in managing stress and promoting mindfulness through breathing techniques. The app was developed with a grant from the National Institutes of Health and focuses on making mindfulness accessible to a diverse community.

Blackfullness provides a platform for individuals to engage in mindfulness practices tailored to their needs, with different options based on emotional states like feeling overwhelmed or needing to center oneself. By incorporating technology, the app aims to reach a wider audience and provide a relatable space for Black individuals to explore mindfulness.

Topics include:

Sonia’s story, and how mindfulness has helped her.
The power of focusing on your breath to help center your mind and body, reducing stress, and promoting overall well-being.
Why Sonia developed a digital app that is relatable and accessible to Black individuals seeking mental health support.
What mindfulness is and isn’t, and a powerful way to begin your practice.
Future developments for Blackfullness.
Through a blend of technology, research, and community engagement, the Blackfullness app serves as a valuable resource for promoting mental well-being and self-awareness. Sonia’s dedication to creating a platform that resonates with users and fosters a sense of empowerment underscores the app’s mission to make mindfulness practices accessible and impactful for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to Episode 11 of the Women’s Digital Health podcast – Navigating Digital Mental Health: Digital Apps, Digital Therapeutics and Resources
Visit Blackfullness
Connect with Blackfullness on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sign up for the Women’s Digital Health Newsletter
Subscribe to the Women’s Digital Health Podcast wherever you’re listening right now, and discover more about the intersection of technology, mental health, and personal development. And please share the podcast with anyone from your community who will benefit.

Author

  • Brandi Sinkfield

    Dr. Brandi, is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, who was inspired by her mother, a registered nurse who graduated with a degree in information technology. Through tough love and support from her father, extended family, and friends she attended Case Western Medical School and received her M.D. She completed residency training at Cleveland Clinic and dual fellowship training at Stanford Anesthesiology in Perioperative Management and Digital Health. Growing up she experienced the lack of transparency, shame and secrecy surrounding women’s health and body confidence driving her to imagine a pathway for her own daughter and other women to access information that empowers them and inspires confidence.

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