Filling the Gaps of Mental Health Awareness with NAMI
Real transformation does not begin in moments of certainty, but in spaces where people are willing to confront what has long been unspoken. It starts when silence is broken by honesty, and when struggles that were once hidden are finally acknowledged with care instead of judgment.
For many, those unspoken realities live beneath the pressure to perform, achieve, and appear strong at all times. Yet behind every expectation are human experiences that do not disappear when ignored. They surface in stress, exhaustion, and moments where support is most needed but often hardest to ask for.
This is why community matters. Environments that value both excellence and well-being create room for people to be fully seen. Mentorship, care, and consistent support remind individuals that they are not meant to carry everything alone.
When mental health resources are accessible, awareness becomes action. Support systems help turn silence into language and struggle into something that can be addressed early, not endured in isolation.
In the end, transformation is not only about growth, but about being supported in the process of becoming. When people are met with understanding, healing becomes possible and lasting.
In this episode with Daniel Gillison Jr., I will reflect on the significance of Easter as a time of faith, family, and renewal, while sharing a powerful conversation recorded live from the HBCU End Zone experience in San Francisco. Together, we explore the impact of the HBCU journey, the importance of mentorship, and how environments rooted in care and belief can shape future leaders. We also discuss the critical role of mental health awareness, breaking stigma, and creating accessible support systems through the work of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Tune in as we unpack the connection between faith, family, HBCU culture, and mental health awareness.
“Mentorship… someone saw something in me and had a suggestion that I go apply for this internship and that internship turned into a job. That would never have happened if someone did not take the time to look at me and see me for who I was.” – Daniel Gillison Jr.
Topics Covered:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:37) Welcoming our guest, Daniel Gillison Jr.
(00:02:45) HBCU experience shaping life’s path
(00:05:42) Mentorship as a career catalyst
(00:07:29) HBCUs: Where challenge builds grit and purpose
(00:11:22) NAMI: Making mental health visible and supported early
(00:13:19) Mental health: Breaking stigma, embracing strength
(00:14:32) Mental health beyond physical recovery
(00:16:50) Mental health support through consistency and care
(00:17:47) Student-athlete isolation and pressure in HBCUs
(00:19:45) HBCUs: A lifelong transformative experience
Key Takeaways:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”– Daniel Gillison Jr.
“It’s an area of strength to talk about that I’m not doing OK.”– Daniel Gillison Jr.
“Our real objective is for every individual living with mental illness to live a full and fulfilling life.”– Daniel Gillison Jr.
“What's happening above the shoulders is invisible until something occurs.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess
About the Guest
Mr. Daniel Gillison Jr. is the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. A Southern University alumnus and former tennis scholar-athlete, he draws from his HBCU experience and upbringing in Washington, D.C. to speak on resilience, mentorship, and the realities students face in high-pressure environments.
He leads national efforts to reduce mental health stigma, expand early intervention, and improve access to care, especially within Black communities. Through partnerships with HBCUs and the Divine Nine, including “NAMI on Campus,” he champions consistent, judgment-free mental health support and real-time resources for students.
Connect with Mr. Daniel Gillison Jr.:
Website: https://www.nami.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NAMICommunicate/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gillison/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NAMIvideo
Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:
Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.derrickburgess243
Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com
Other Links: https://www.hbcuendzone.org/about
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