Being a human, particularly right now, is stressful. —Nkechi Njaka, a meditation guide in San Francisco, Quoted for the NY Times

Being Human, especially now, is really difficult and what we do (the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual) to make it all make sense matters.

Mental Health Awareness Month is not just about mental illness statistics and acknowledging that we might all struggle with our well-being from time to time; it is also a moment to consider our access to resources, to examine how we are really doing and to consider how to be in the hard conversations that are about us knowing how and when to take care— on an individual and collective level. This is an every day conversation.

Please join us for an in person, hour-long conversation honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with four incredible Bay Area Mental Health Practitioners. With each offering a unique and extraordinary perspective on what it means to be well during these times, the collective panel is made up of psychotherapists, artists, activists, academics, yogis, and scientists and their combined work is at the intersection of art, wellness, liberation, social practice, and equitable well-being for all.

BIOS

Nkechi Deanna Njaka (she/her) is a neuroscientist, choreography artist, leading mindfulness expert and meditation guide. She is the founder of The Compass, NDN lifestyle studio, and co-founder of the sleep app DreamWell. Her work intersects wellness, science, art, and social practice. Through her work, research, practice, and study, she discovered that mindfulness and creativity are crucial for sustaining individual and global wellbeing.

Nkechi has spent the majority of her life investigating the relationship between the brain and the body and has always felt the significance of their integration. She attended Scripps College in Claremont, CA where she majored in neuroscience and dance and went on to complete an MSc. in Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh and she is currently a practice-based Ph.D. candidate in creative research at Liverpool John Moores University. Her expertise has been recognized by Google, goop, Black Girl in Om, Wanderlust, Calm, Apple and Forbes, to name a few.

Jess Semaan is a queer author, activist and psychotherapist who finds inspiration in her journey to heal from complex trauma. She started writing on platform Medium after hitting rock bottom, following burnout. Two years later, close to 52,000 people were following and engaging with her writing about despair, fear, trauma, and shame. Her work has been featured in magazines from around the world, including the Huff Post, Stanford Magazine, Human Parts, and Slimi Mag. An agent named Laura Lee Mattingly reached out to her in 2017, suggesting a book. Six months later, Child of the Moon was born, and soon after found a home with Andrews McMeel, publisher of Rupi Kaur amongst other poets.

Chetna Mehta (she/her) is a granddaughter of Indian and South African diasporas living and creating on Ohlone land known as Berkeley, CA. As an educating artist, facilitator and speaker playing at the intersection of expressive healing arts, spirituality and psycho-education, she is here as a steward for peace, love and freedom on Earth. Find more about the mission at www.mosaiceyeunfolding.com.

Leia Layus is a yoga teacher and an integrative therapist, who is inspired by the connection between psychology, Eastern philosophy, somatic movement modalities, yoga, mindfulness, creativity, and spirituality. Deeply touched by this path and its supportive nature of looking inward and living more fully, Leia offers these practices for the health and wellness of all beings.

Leia studied at Prajna Yoga in New Mexico, which weaves together the Ancient wisdom of the Buddhadharma and Yogic Philosophy, traditional Hatha Yoga, modern science, and extensive studies of somatic movement to support the subtle body. Leia is a graduate of the Integral Counseling Psychology program at the California Institute of Integral Studies which supports an integrative approach toward mental health.

RUN OF EVENTS

5:00pm - Doors open

5:30pm - Panel

6:30pm - End and transition to DJ at 7

RSVP Required

*Members are prioritized*

This event is 21+

Please review our House Rules and Guest Code of Conduct.

About SHACK15

SHACK15 is a community for Founders, Innovators and Changemakers. Located on the third floor of the iconic San Francisco Ferry Building with panoramic views of the Bay, SHACK15 provides the stage for a diverse global community to gather and connect.

SHACK15 Location

We’re located on the 2nd floor of San Francisco's Ferry Building. Please use the elevator to come to the 2nd floor in the Ferry Building’s “Office Lobby” - located underneath the giant clock tower, on the left side of the main market entrance.

Being With What Is: A Conversation Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month