Interview with Sanaz Gerami and Lauren Lee Mcleod on Overcoming Mental Illness With Our Feminine Strength

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Please note - This is a FREE event being offered both in person in DT Vancouver, and online on Facebook and Zoom.  The goal? To make it as fully accessible to everyone!  Address and online links are below!


SanazGerami-LaurenMcleod
Can you share a bit about your journey from a young age to the career you enjoy today? Looking back, can you see any early signs that you would embrace this future?

Sanaz - Growing up in a single-mom household, I faced challenges accessing support groups due to financial constraints. Struggling with depression from age 14 in a violent environment and later being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety at 21, I made it my mission to fundraise for underprivileged children and women, and to raise awareness and support for those affected by mental health issues.

Lauren - At the age of 5 I was diagnosed with Spinal Cord meningitis. I definitely struggled with fitting in and didn't understand why my attention was all over the place. As I grew up I encountered a lot of different obstacles - my vision was definitely one of them. I had to wear very large glasses. I was definitely a introvert around others that didn't engage with me first. Throughout my childhood and young adulthood I was surrounded by art and music. I always knew I was destined to do something creative and nurturing. I knew something was different and unique about me and I had the gift to create. A creative loner as you would say. I was really blessed that I had the people in my life that rushed me to the hospital that day or else it would have been the last of me. Growing up in a household with a Father that was an artist. I always had memories of Frank Sinatra playing when I came home from school and little bits of paint in different places of the house. Sitting in front of my television watching Fashion file, I knew one day I would be doing something I was passionate about. But what was it? I was always into draping material on my Barbies and creating my own jeans and skirts. I had the need to create. This was my me time. The one time that I could feel inspired and safe. I wasn't really interested in School and couldn't focus for the life of me. I didn't really fit in. I knew too much about the real world, more then most kids my age

schedule-of-events
You both mention having personally experienced the struggles associated with mental illness. How has that impacted your lives? How did this lead to your decision to create a supportive and empowering community?

Sanaz - I struggle with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, which have deeply impacted my life. Determined to make a difference, I chose to expose mental health issues and offer support at no cost, ensuring no one has to suffer in silence.

Lauren - At 25 I was diagnosed with brain damage and adult ADHD. I was told by my doctor that I wouldn't be able to drive or do anything pertaining to numbers. I told myself, "Lauren no matter what, you are going to pursue your dreams." As I got older, I found I liked helping people, volunteering and working with fashion. These were my healthy outlets, so I went forward with them.  There was also another side to my upbringing that wasn't so lovely. I got into alcohol and drugs. My life became unmanageable until the day I decided I didn't want to die. I wanted to be there for my family and the ones I love. I put myself in treatment for 6 months. I have now been clean and sober for 6 year.

What will be the directions and/or offerings will you focus on as you work to build and bring this community

Sanaz - I'm aiming to make this an annual event, featuring diverse perspectives from various speakers and offering a range of therapeutic modalities. This approach will ensure a comprehensive and enriching experience for all participants.

Thankyou-acknowledgements
Lauren - Sanaz and I started this idea with our own personal struggles. Sanaz is someone who embodies love and strength, just like me. We both believe when women come together we are more powerful then when we are apart, so we decided the best opportunity to do this was to bring our community of like minded women together

Your first event - Overcoming Mental Illness with our Feminine Energy - will be held Sunday, August 11th? Can you tell readers little about the focus of this event and the speakers who will be sharing the stage?

Sanaz - This isn’t the first event I’ve organized; I've previously collaborated with organizations like TEDxKids, Walk in Her Shoes, and Run for Mom, and even participated in a microfinance program in Peru for single women. However, this is my first event focused on mental health, with the goal of breaking the stigma surrounding it. The speakers will share their personal struggles and triumphs, aiming to help others who feel stuck. 

Lauren -  We have asked some incredibly experienced ladies to be apart of panel to share their stories of success and where it stems from. They have all been through something that we hope our attendees at our event can relate too. And we hope they learn some helpful coping skills and treatments. We will be providing everyone with Kangan water, electro therapy pads and delicious bites as well. 

Sanaz Gerami (Co-host) is a freelance Interior Designer and Property Manager passionate about charity projects. In the past she has struggled with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. 

Sanaz-Gerami

Lauren Lee Mcleod (Co-host)  is a humanitarian that believes in bringing her community together. She has an extensive art background. She studied at VCAD and then became a personal stylist, event planner and event organizer. Her work has been featured in several magazines. Lauren has always paired up with charity organizations to raise awareness around Alzheimers. She took a different path when she decided to become a nanny and has since had the pleasure of working with children with disabilities. And she is just launching a pet sitting business. The Spinal Cord Meningitis she contracted at age 4 impaired her vision and ability to drive. She also struggles with her ADD. Lauren is driven to see a strong community of women come together and change the narrative of Mental illness. We are better together then alone.

Lauren-Mcleod

Goly Emam (Speaker) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Hypnotherapist, a Reiki Practitioner, and Spiritual Psychology Practitioner. She’s also a best selling author of Motherhood Goddess Powered. She is passionate about healing generational trauma patterns in order to nurture the Spirit of children and heal our humanity one family at a time. 

Goly-Emam

Georgia Victoria Fletcher (speaker) is a confidence and personal growth coach on a mission to inspire women to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for growth. She is no stranger to the world of mental health, having been diagnosed with two anxiety disorders she battled for a number of years before seeking professional help to overcome the challenges that came with them. 

Georgia-Victoria-Fletcher

Maryam Goldan (Speaker) a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (R.C.C), a fully certified EMDR therapist and a certified LENS Neurofeedback Technician. Due to her own life experiences, Maryam became incredibly passionate about supporting individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Maryam-Goldan

Lien Dilewijns (Q & A) is Certified EMDR Therapist and Registered Clinical Counsellor at Healing Waves who specializes in Somatic Attachment, ADHD, Psychedelic Assisted Integration and Complex Trauma.

Lien-Dilewijns


Parmida Golkar (Q & A) is a business developer in the environmental sector who has helped inspire and empower others to starts their own businesses. At the age of 18 she was fighting battles of depression and anxiety. She made the decision to move from Iran and pursue her goals and dreams in Vancouver. She began living a more purposeful life by starting a  Ecommerce business focusing on health and wellness.

Parmida-Golkar

What is the best way to learn more, and how can those interested attend?

Readers can find more information on the Facebook event page - link below.  This event can be attended both in person in Vancouver, or online via Facebook or Zoom.

Sunday August 11, 2004 at 1 p.m. Pacific Time
Attend in person at 1189 Melville in Vancouver.
Attend online on Facebook or Zoom:



What is you biggest goal for this day? What do you most hope those who attend will take away from this speaker series?

Sanaz - My main goal is to break the stigma surrounding the words "mental illness" and offer free support to ensure that no one has to suffer in silence.

Lauren - The goal for the day is to give women some hope, to bring women together for one day to enjoy each other, and hopefully to have some of their questions answered. I would love to see this grow and flourish into something amazing.

How can those interested stay connected with you so they will hear above future opportunities?

Sanaz - I hope to make this an annual event anyone interested in attending the next event or partaking as a speaker or providing sponsorship can connect with me via Facebook Sanaz Gerami or instagram at snazzy_pooh or phone number 604-203-9634.

Lauren - I am always here for any questions Any of the ladies have. My email is linvisionstyles28@gmail.com. My Facebook is Lauren Mcleod.

Yaara-organization

Anything else you'd like to share?

Sanaz and Lauren - While this is a free event, we are accepting donations for Yaaraa.org. Yaaraa Women’s Aid Non-Profit Society is independent of any political affiliations, government agencies or religious groups.  Our purpose is to raise funds to provide financial aid to impoverished single women who are the heads of their households in Iran, helping them to become financially independent by providing them with the tools/materials needed for their trades. We will also provide emergency aid in cases such as serious illness and evictions. Aid will be distributed via previously established channels with select local charities. 

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