Edna Freeman or the ascent of a mental health advocate? Edna Freeman is an American mental health advocate and mother who has overcome childhood trauma in her own life and is passionate about ensuring today’s children don’t need to suffer without early intervention. Edna uses her story of overcoming traumatic childhood abuse to show others that they are not alone and that there is no shame in asking for help.
What is your process for helping young children and teens confront and overcome trauma? The goal is to guide them to the right organizations, medical professionals and sharing my story. I feel that some people tend to see mental illnesses as a taboo or something made up. I want the voices and needs of people and kids with mental illness to be heard. I want them to understand and learn to be gentle with themselves. Parents are also learning to be parents, so yes, a parent can cause trauma on their kids. One scenario is by bringing their own traumas to their kids.
How do you use cosplay and costuming as a form of therapy for yourself and those you work with? In my case, cosplay is like I express some of the pain hidden inside me. I pick the characters that have a bit similar story as me. I love the costumes and makeup because it makes me a new person, and it gives me the freedom to speak without fear of being judged.
Edna Freeman is a Brazilian survivor of abuse during childhood and adolescence, and currently uses her personal experience to help children and adults who are experiencing this type of situation. She is a mother of two and currently lives in San Francisco, United States, with her family. It is incredible to see the amount of dedication she has to help those who are going through all these problems and need someone who knows how to deal with each particular case. Edna is currently working on setting up her own organization that will help treat children and adolescents who have suffered abuse and trauma.
The Brazilian’s husband works as a DJ once a month and this helped her to meet several famous people, both Brazilians and foreigners, besides having contact with someone who works bringing famous Brazilians to the United States. Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Jorge Aragão, Jarvis Cocker, Sherilyn Fenn, Brent Spiner, Matt Ross, Delroy Lindo, Gaz and Nick Cave are some of these famous Brazilians and foreigners. Edna has also done several works in advertising, but her biggest highlight is as a poster girl at Sutter Health hospital and with her face is printed on buses, billboards and subway stations.
“When I went to the casting, they thought I was Asian. Then I said ‘no, Latin’. Days later, they chose me. I had no idea that I would be chosen. I was amazed and, at the same time, happy, without believing. It was wonderful, “he admitted. The work was done at Mission Dolores Park, famous for hosting good artistic performances, and which was partially closed on the day of the recording and the photo shoot. In a short time, there it was printed on billboards, buses and subway stations, among other tourist spots in SanFran, as the city is affectionately called.