For Donna Duke-Pope, “You’re not alone” isn’t just a cliché phrase—it’s a truth she’s lived and now shares with others. She knows how isolating mental health struggles can be. More importantly, though, she knows the healing power of feeling seen, heard, and supported.

Today, as program manager in the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement—and as a certified QPR Gatekeeper, sorority mental health chair, and longtime community advocate—Duke-Pope channels that personal experience into public purpose.

Donna Duke-Pope, B.S.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Heersink School of Medicine sat down with Duke-Pope to learn more about her advocacy journey. Most recently, she served as a featured speaker during a UAB Arts in Medicine webinar, “Mental Health & Community Well-Being: A Conversation with Donna Duke-Pope,” where she joined local experts to discuss stigma, access, and the strength it takes to seek help.

Tell us about yourself and what you currently do at the Heersink Office of Access and Engagement.

Duke-Pope: I have proudly served at UAB for 18 years, but I’ve worked in the Office of Access & Engagement as a Program Manager for less than a year. I coordinate programs that promote involvement for all Heersink School of Medicine employees, faculty, professors, and students. I'm actually pursuing my master's in human resource management right now, which supports my passion for advocating for people.

What inspired you to become a mental health advocate, and how long have you been involved in this work?

Duke-Pope: My mental health journey is really personal. I know what it feels like to suffer in silence. Instead of sitting in my pain and letting it define me, I chose to turn it into purpose. I’ve been a mental health advocate since 2015, helping to create a safe space for dialogue, healing and education, especially when stigma can be a barrier. A lot of people don’t have the educational understanding about mental health to know when to seek help, so a lot of my seminars have focused on creating awareness and education to empower them.

You recently participated in a mental health panel—how did you get involved, and what was that experience like? Could you share the main takeaways from the session for those who were unable to attend?

Duke-Pope: I used to work in UAB Arts, and Kim Kirklin, the director of UAB Arts in Medicine, and I gained respect by bonding as coworkers. As we talked about mental health and how I advocate for it, she asked if I would help organize a program that we ended up centering around me and my experiences called, “Mental Health & Community Well-Being: A Conversation with Donna Duke-Pope.”

We then expanded into a panel by inviting Mike James and Herb Wilkerson. Mike is a mental health counselor and Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. He is also the founder of P&Z Life Coaching, where he empowers people to become the best version of themselves. Herb is currently the director of Student Engagement and Enrichment at UAB and has over 20 years of experience as a mental health professional with multiple specialties. He initially began by supporting individuals with developmental delays, but now provides individual counseling for students at UAB.

The main takeaways from the session included:

1. Sharing our stories helps break the silence. When I shared my personal journey, I wasn’t just speaking for myself; I was speaking for everyone who’s ever felt like they had to suffer in silence. The truth is, our stories carry power. When we open up, we help others feel less alone and more encouraged to seek the help they need. That’s how we start breaking the stigma: by being real and letting people know it’s okay not to be okay.

2. Daily practices help us stay grounded. Mike said something that really resonated with me—your daily habits can either pour into you or drain you. For me, I have to be intentional every day when it comes to protecting my peace. Whether it’s through prayer, stepping outside for fresh air, or setting boundaries, it all adds up. Resilience isn’t about being strong all the time. It’s about giving yourself what you need to keep going.

3. We must make access to care more accessible. Too many people feel like they can’t ask for help. Whether it’s because of money, fear, or not knowing where to start, those barriers are real. That’s why we have to keep talking, keep educating, and keep pointing folks toward resources. Healing should never feel out of reach.

Participating in that panel felt like the continuation of the mission I’ve been on for 10 years now, reminding those that attended that we all carry something—no matter what we look like or have lived through—and the more we talk about it, the more we give it permission to heal.

What other lectures or events have you organized related to mental health?

Duke-Pope: So first, let me tell you how it started. I attend a church called Love Fellowship Christian Center in Adamsville, Alabama, and my paster, Rodney Stanfield, and his wife, Telayo Stanfield, really motivated me to get out of my shell. Back in 2017, I shared my personal experiences and passion for mental health and community, and we just started with one seminar. From there, I organized several different events focused on topics affecting the community.

One was about crime in the Black community, featuring Carolyn Johnson, who lost her son to an unsolved crime; other parents joined to share their stories, too. We also held a seminar on being a stepparent and the challenges of blended families. Another event focused on addiction, with a panel of people in recovery sharing their testimonies, including participants from Alethia House. To address distrust in law enforcement, I hosted a session called “Ask a Question to Law Enforcement,” with sheriffs, Birmingham PD officers, detectives, a probation officer, and an FBI agent. I also organized an event at the Homewood Library, which featured Willow Grace Counseling, nonprofit speakers from A Friend of Mind, and stories from survivors. My last event before COVID was about overcoming trauma, whether that’s emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically, and it included Mike James, who led the physical wellness portion.

Each event helped me grow stronger and brought healing to myself. I believe the things we go through aren’t meant for us to keep—they’re for us to overcome and then share, so others can know they’re not alone.

Do you see any overlap between your role at the Office of Access & Engagement and your work as a mental health advocate? If so, how do they complement each other?

Duke-Pope: In both roles, I’m focused on helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered. At the Office of Access & Engagement, we do that by listening to our faculty, staff, students, and residents, understanding their needs, and creating events that reflect and support those needs.

That’s also what I do as a mental health advocate—whether it’s encouraging someone to seek therapy or building a more welcoming environment at UAB. Both roles rely on empathy and compassion. It’s about asking, “How can we help?” and following through.

Why is it important to talk openly about mental health, especially in the workplace?

Duke-Pope: We often say, “Leave your personal issues at the door,” but that’s not always realistic. If something was heavy on your mind at night, it’s still with you the next morning when you clock in.

When I was Operations Manager at UAB Arts in Medicine, I kept my door open—literally and emotionally. Younger staff would gather around, sit with their laptops, or just come in to talk. One employee in particular would often stop by and start sharing, and I’d just pause and listen. That openness made people feel safe.

Not every work environment allows that, but when it does, it reduces stigma, promotes healing, and supports well-being. Even a small moment, like letting someone vent about traffic, can make a difference. When mental health is openly acknowledged, it can improve productivity, job satisfaction, and even retention, especially when leaders set the tone.

Of course, there’s a time and place for everything. If a conversation goes beyond what you can help with, that’s when you guide someone toward resources. That’s still helping—by listening, showing care, and pointing them to support like UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center. Sometimes your presence can be the first step in someone finding healing.

What’s one message or piece of advice you hope to share with anyone struggling?

Duke-Pope: The number one thing I always tell people is, you are not alone. It might sound cliché or corny, but mental health struggles can feel incredibly isolating, like you're on an island by yourself. That’s why it’s so important to remind people they’re not alone and back that up with action. Struggling in silence doesn’t lead to healing.

It might feel scary to take that first step, whether that’s making the call, scheduling the intake, or answering personal questions, but once you do, healing can begin. And it doesn’t stop there. The real strength is in continuing to seek help and support over time.

So again, my advice is simple: You are not alone, and support is out there. Even if it starts with talking to a friend or coworker, just take that first step. There is strength in continuing the journey.