Day on A Plate and mental health de-stigmatisation with Jasmyn Wilkins

“The sooner that therapy and open conversation about mental health are normalised, the closer we will be to beating the stigma” – Jasmyn Wilkins

Model, sociology graduate, and NBA royalty (she’s the daughter of Gerald Wilkins, niece of Dominique Wilkins, and sister of Damien Wilkins) – Jasmyn Wilkins is the latest social media personality to catch the eye of the Husskie team.

Making a name in the fashion and beauty industry for fronting campaigns for brands including Nike, L’OREAL, Maybelline, Savage x Fenty, Adore Me, House of CB, and BITE Beauty, Jasmyn uses her platform to not only showcase her work and love of health and beauty – but also to help raise awareness about social issues. This includes shining a spotlight on mental health de-stigmatisation, an issue close to her heart.

Below, we get Jasmyn to open up to us about what you can typically find on her Day On A Plate, her exercise regimes, and the importance of mental health de-stigmatisation and tips for overcoming inner battles.

Weekly workout schedule
My workouts vary depending on what my body needs. I like to switch it up between Pilates and HIIT floor workouts. I often bring ankle weights and small dumbbells with me when I travel for a hotel room workout.

Wake up
On days that I’m shooting, I wake up around 6 to get to set. Every other day I sleep in until around 9:30.

Breakfast
Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day! I prefer a big traditional breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes, but on shoot days I’ll have a smoothie or oatmeal and tea.

Mid-morning snacks
Snap pea crisps, protein bars, and trail mix help hold me over until lunch time.

Lunch
For lunch I regularly eat a big Greek salad with a side of hummus and cucumber. Greek food is my go-to lunch choice.

Afternoon snack
Probably indulging in some Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream before dinner at this point.

Dinner
I try to cook dinner at home as often as I can rather than going out. I typically make a protein like salmon with a side of veggies and brown rice. On the weekends I’m eating all the carbs! I very much look forward to lasagna night.

Dessert
I cheat and have it before dinner. I will have a glass of wine for “dessert” post dinner.

Bed time
I try to be in bed no later than 10pm as sleep is very important to me, but if I get in a Netflix hole, that turns to midnight.

Weekends
Weekends are when I explore different restaurants and cuisines. I just discovered a new love for Guatemalan and Korean food from my weekend food journeys…

Supplements
I take a daily vitamin pack from Care Of which contains biotin, magnesium, fish oil and a general multi. I also take CBD drops and collagen powder.

Guilty treats
Being from the south, I love peach cobbler and banana pudding. Those are my biggest guilty treats!

Has Covid changed the way you diet and exercise? If so, how and how have you dealt with this?
During Covid I moved my workouts from the gym to outdoors which I loved. I had a small group that I quarantined with and we would run the track outside of our home and do a cardio “class” on the basketball blacktop.

You’ve previously spoken about how mental health de-stigmatisation is important to you. Why is this?
While in middle school, my father was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Being a professional basketball player, it was difficult for him to be open and honest about his thoughts and mental state out of fear of judgement. At the time of his diagnosis, mental health was not something that was openly discussed within professional sports – though as a family, it was something that we were learning to understand and deal with behind the scenes. In the years since his diagnosis, I’ve made it my priority to continue to educate myself and others about ways to detect the signs, how to communicate, and where/how to get help and resources.

Do you think mental health awareness is even more important in these Covid times? Why?
More than ever right now! The pandemic has been a stressful time. Fear and anxiety about the future can be very mentally overwhelming. Also, having to be socially distant for such a long period of time has made many feel isolated and lonely. People need to know that they are not alone in this and having the resources and raising awareness important.

What do you think is key to mental health de-stigmatisation?
Speak openly about your thoughts and inner feelings, don’t be afraid to seek professional health out of fear or judgement. The sooner that therapy and open conversation about mental health are normalised, the closer we will be to beating the stigma.

How do you stay on top of your own mental health battles if you feel them boiling up?
I have a few people very close to me that I open up to when I feel overwhelmed or mentally drained. I also have a therapist that I have been speaking to over Zoom. I think it’s important to take care of yourself physically as well. Even something as simple as a glass of water, a stretch in the morning, and aromatherapy can help start my day off right mentally.

Key advice for other people suffering from mental health battles?
Don’t punish yourself. Lean in to those who truly care about you and talk about your wellbeing and current state. Vocalising your feelings is crucial.