Screw That! It's Time to Brag!

I am not exactly sure where it came from, but somewhere along the way I learned it’s rude to brag. I learned you should deflect a compliment or make an accomplishment smaller to help others feel comfortable with the success. It was such a contradiction because the expectation was always high performance – but without owning that performance. I’m not proud to say that I have been told more than once and by more than one person that I should pause and celebrate more. It’s embarrassing to admit I struggle with that. Somehow I find myself just moving to the next thing on the to-do list and it’s something I really dislike.

So today – I’m saying “Screw that! It’s time to brag!” And boy oh boy, does Cypress have a lot to brag about this month!

During Mental Health Awareness Month I can’t wait to brag about the Cypress team! 

• Jermaine Williams has been named Peer Specialist of the Year by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and just presented at NatCon 2026! Jermaine is not only a MHFA instructor at Cypress, but he also does our video production – bringing his creative passion to our communications strategies. 

• Emelie Morales-Smith was just named top MHFA instructor of Idaho – an amazing accomplishment when you consider she’s a parent to a little one and a community health worker in her community – talk about busy!

• Shuniqua Guss was named top New MHFA instructor for 2026 – all while also working with youth in an after-school program and getting certified in a new curriculum. We are so grateful to her for her kind approach to supporting Cypress learners.

• George Cruz has started to teach our “Lunch & Learn” workshops; leveraging his professional experience as a first responder. George is dedicating his graduate work to the mental wellbeing of first responders – an often overlooked population!

• Olivia LaFond is finishing up her graduate work in social work all while leading our communication efforts! I’m still not exactly sure how she balances it all and stays smiling along the way!

• Jessica Forrister keeps the trains running on time and more! She’s the person we give all the “hard to figure out” stuff to because we know she’s going to dig in and get us to a place where things run smoothly.  She blows our minds!

• Karen Lane oversees our Operations team, is one of our lead instructors, and handles our finances and contracts. You may not know she also is a hospice volunteer in her “spare” time. It’s hard to list all of Karen’s contributions here without taking all day.

• Jameelah Bennett teaches Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and runs her own coaching and consulting business! We are so grateful for her professionalism and expertise!

• Jasmine Nakagawa wears a hundred hats – lead instructor, content and curriculum developer, communications lead. But what you may not know is she’s also our secret graphic designer! If you think our stuff is pretty it’s because Jasmine made it that way!

• Michele Dawson supports all of our trainings and helps keep our instructors feeling seen and supported. She helps everyone in a MHFA class get from A to Z – no easy task when you train thousands of folks a year!

• Jessica Leatherman is last but never least. She keeps tabs on our data, works on our refugee mental health project and without fail brings the sunshine. She also is a killer team party planner!

Phew! You know what??? Turns out bragging feels pretty darned good. This Mental Health Awareness Month and every month, I’m proud of this amazing team for all they bring to this work. Each person is dedicated to helping folks prepare to help themselves and others when it matters most.

This month, join us in turning awareness into action—whatever that may look like to you! Whether it is taking time to brag about the people in your life, leaning on others when you need support, or sharing a mental health resource with someone in your community—we’ll be sharing many ideas through our #31DaysofAction campaign. Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn throughout the month!