Meet Lizzy Tetteh-Ocloo | Aspiring clinical social worker & Mental Wellness Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizzy Tetteh-Ocloo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizzy, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Deciding whether to keep going or to give up can be a challenging and deeply personal decision. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on any given situation, goals, and personal feelings. One way that I consider making the decision to give-up or keep going is through self-reflection of my motivations and passions. Reflecting on my purpose reignites my passion and reminds me of why I started in the first place. Remembering my why is used a source of resilience in the midst of challenges that push me to consider giving up.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a UNC alumna with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and an aspiring mental health professional. My passion for mental health stems from my personal experiences and the need I have seen for its de-stigmatization. This passion has led me to pursue my Master’s in Social Work and provide full-time service at Covenant House Georgia, a local homeless shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. The youth I engage with face a tremendous amount of trauma due to experiences with systems and/or individuals that failed them. It was not uncommon for youth to resort to a trauma response when engaging with staff and other youth. In moments where I have empathized with a shared story, I am reminded of the systemic means by which society neglects our most vulnerable. Covenant House continues to teach me that life is about learning to navigate social pressures and power structures in society, as well as the intersection of personal identities. In my work, I am growing more confident in my voice and ability to make a positive impact.

I grew up in a household that was organized by strong misogynistic, ageist and patriarchal values that stifled the voice of women and children. These values were reinforced by violent verbal and physical attacks when challenged by me or my sisters. When I would advocate for myself I was frequently dismissed as emotionally sensitive and invalidated. Eventually, I began to internalize my father’s messages that I was inferior and suppressed my emotions. I believed that my worth and value equated to the approval I received from my overwhelmingly disapproving father. These life experiences fuel my ambitions of working towards a society in which the most vulnerable are protected and advocated for. I have seen that building strong, powerful and constructive individuals begins with the establishment of a healthy family as the foundation.

While pursuing my Bachelor’s degree, I took a semester off to focus on my healing and personal development. Counseling gave me tools to cope with stress, respond to my triggers, and challenge my negative thinking patterns. My experiences in therapy heightened my passion and advocacy for mental health; this journey revealed not only the challenges one has to overcome to access adequate resources, but also how beneficial therapy is to one’s holistic well-being and healing.

As a service oriented individual, my passion and commitment to provide service for the most vulnerable members of society fuels my desire to pursue a Master’s in social work. The field of social work offers me an opportunity to promote social change and empower underserved populations. As a social worker, I hope to assist communities and individuals with identifying and overcoming barriers they face in regard to their physical, mental, social and/or emotional well-being. As a personal witness of the legacy of trauma and its effects on families, I know that neglect of a single individual ripples through communities and informs generational trauma.

The environment I was raised in did not encourage me to have a voice of my own. I had to take time to rediscover my voice. My healing journey began when I became intentional about addressing my trauma. I am fortunate to have had a community of support to guide me through critical periods of my life. As a social worker, I hope to help others in a similar capacity and beyond.I aspire to spend my life building healthy and wholesome communities that empower each other through positive and exemplary interactions. In doing so, I hope to deter others from the unfortunate results of neglect and abuse. I would like to inspire and guide individuals to overcome social barriers by not only fulfilling the responsibilities and meeting minimal standards of competency as a social worker; but also magnifying those responsibilities in the service of others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the key reasons I love the city is the vibrant cultural scene, including music, art, and film, which celebrates black culture. The city has a thriving hip-hop and R&B music industry and hosts numerous festivals and events that showcase African American talent and creativity.

I would take a visit the High Museum of Art, known for its diverse collection of art. Another afternoon could be spent exploring the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world, and the World of Coca-Cola to learn about the history of the iconic beverage. I would also consider a day trip to Stone Mountain Park, a scenic area offering hiking trails and beautiful views of the city. Further, I can’t go without visiting the Center for Civil and Human Rights, a museum dedicated to the achievements of the civil rights movement and the broader human rights movement. Brunch dates will be scheduled at some of my top brunch spots which would include Breakfast at Barney’s, Fin & Feather’s, BQE, or the Corner Grille. This would be accompanied by evenings at some of my favorite restaurants/lounges at Rock Steady, Ace Atlanta, or Elite lounge. I would also visit and hang out at the Trap Museum and the Bando.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a child, I have always admired my older sister, Freda. Although I was often shielded from knowing my sister’s true relationship with our father, it recently became transparent. Freda always stood up for what she believed was the right thing, regardless of other’s judgement. Unfortunately, this was the root of the tension and animosity my father showed towards her. While the rest of us could silently receive my father’s authoritarian rearing, which was often belittling, Freda did not stand for it. Freda stood up to our father’s misogynistic, elitist, and ageist ideals. Freda’s actions were selfless. She spoke up for our mother who was raised to believe she was to be controlled by a man. She believed she had no voice or right to speak out against the verbal and emotional abuse she suffered from her husband. Freda stood up for us, her sisters, and taught us to not allow anyone to minimize our potential because of our age, sex, or gender.

My dad was Freda’s largest obstacle that she overcame. He disliked when anybody disagreed with him. He interpreted Freda’s outspoken nature as disrespect and terminated all affectionate care and love in their father-daughter relationship. She also lost financial support from my father and became the target of his verbal and emotional abuse as a result of her actions. She is now the most independent, and tenacious individual I know. Her strength and independence inspires me to remain ambitious towards my own goals.

Website: https://convalizscent.wordpress.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-tetteh-ocloo