When Regina was 16, while volunteering as a camp counselor she was hit by a falling tree. The accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury. She experienced physical and cognitive issues such as headaches and memory issues. Her recovery was difficult and she developed mental health challenges from PTSD.  Her mother Carole wanted to support Regina through these challenges and began studying about mental health and the brain. Carole, along with other Chinese families attended Chinese NAMI Family to Family classes and support groups. Carole went on to co-found Mental Health Association Chinese Communities (MHACC), an Alameda County-based mental health nonprofit with offices in Oakland, Castro Valley and Fremont and from the beginning Regina has helped support MHACC’s growth.

In the 1980’s Carole immigrated from Shanghai with $75 and built a successful fashion label in New York which sold in stores such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. She has years of experience in business and the fashion industry, but helping people was always a primary motivation in her work. Transitioning to non-profit work in mental health was a big change, but Carole found it extremely fulfilling. She pursued and earned a Non-profit Management Certificate from Duke University to help support her current work. Carole’s learned there are many different components to recovery and what works will vary from person to person. She knows this may include medication, therapy and holistic practices. She believes that an important first step is knowledge. “If you don’t understand the nature of the mental health challenge, it’s hard to figure out how to address them,” Carole says.

Regina, in addition to the PTSD developed from her traumatic accident for many years dealt with generalized anxiety disorder and experienced panic attacks. She tried various treatments including medications and different styles of therapy. Through therapy, she learned more about herself and how to manage her symptoms. She continues to do research and try new things to help with her anxiety and self-care. She found forms of exercise that she enjoys such as yoga and dance.  She finds sticking to regular routines, spending time with friends, and doing hobbies like knitting helpful in maintaining her mental wellness.

After her brain injury knitting became a big part of Regina’s recovery. In the hospital, the pastor from their church brought a scarf knitted by church members to provide her comfort. Carole and Regina thought it was funny because it was the middle of summer, but it was indeed comforting to have something handcrafted with love. After she came home, one of the first things Regina relearned was how to knit. She had lots of yarn at home from her Mother’s previous work as a knitwear designer. Knitting was a source of calm while Regina went through her brain injury recovery, and continues to be a self-care practice to this day. She is also very grateful to have supportive family and friends who helped her through the hard times and who are always there to talk and listen.