The Wonders of Doing Good for Others – The Case of Johnwick Nathan

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

With all the problems that afflict our world these days, people are left with a choice: either doing something or doing nothing. While most people end up doing nothing, others go the extra mile to do as much for others as they possibly can. And, in the case of Dr. Johnwick Nathan, that mile is quite literal.

Dr. Nathan is a rising young entrepreneur who came from nothing and truly made himself. With an education that includes biblical studies, his passion is in helping others, thus applying the teachings of that holy book with a vision that is aimed at achieving true success by benefiting others.

He has previous experience working with recovering addicts and mental health patients, which became a turning point in his career. He realized he wanted to live to help others and decided to open his first clinic consisting of a set of homes that became a great success in just three years amidst a pandemic.

Most recently, he has been deeply involved in philanthropic work with Ghana, where he received a royal status and now helps thousands of people. His work includes repairing the roof of a hospital, providing supplies to students, and he is planning to build an entire community.

His work in this African country is essential because mental illness is still a subject burdened by stigma, leading many people to not seek help. Part of Dr. Nathan's work there includes raising awareness for this type of problem, and to bring doctors up to date with the most modern care and treatment options.

Here is the Q&A from a recent interview with Dr. Nathan.

•     What made you switch focus to Behavioral Health?

Starting as an impoverished immigrant from Haiti, I struggled through the challenges of growing up in a nation struggling with its identity. Taking heart despite the chaotic years we find ourselves in, I dedicated myself to my education. My studies at university originally formed me in music, followed by an exploration of Bible College. It was during this period that I was able to come across my true passion: helping people. 

Working as a behavioral health technician in Tempe, Arizona helped me realize that there are people out there who need help, and the resources available to them were simply too few to make a difference. I became determined to prove that someone can make a difference in people’s lives. 

• Do you think mental issues are a bigger problem in the US or in Ghana?

First of all, Ghana is a country going through a lot of struggles. Naturally, taking care of mental health is not the first priority for people, although it should be. Besides, there’s still a big stigma around mental health and its importance and even more so around the way, people let themselves be vocal about it or even let themselves think about it. In Ghana, the situation is drastically underdeveloped in those terms. 

•     Where do you think the stigma surrounding mental health in Ghana comes from?

As I’ve mentioned, a country going through so many struggles has different priorities at the forefront of its being. Being underdeveloped and having a very distinct culture rooted in principles differing from those that are familiar to us, it’s harder for people to take a path of progress and inner analysis. 

•     Is there a key to unlock that stigma? If so, how will you approach it?

There is a key. When I traveled to Ghana for the first time, I witnessed the lack of facilities and means to implement anything that would become the first steps to building the road to a more hands-on approach to working on mental health. I believe that the only way to unlock the stigma is through example. It’s only through hard and consistent work that we can practically demonstrate the positive effects of working on one’s mental health and the advantages it brings looking at the bigger picture. This is why I made three trips to Ghana in just a span of two months to implement my ideas to life to help the people I serve, being enstooled as the king of GaAdang-Be tribe, Nii Borlabi Tesaa I. It’s an honor and a great responsibility that I take on with great gratitude and dedication.

•     What's the most rewarding experience you had while helping others?

Just seeing a person grow and realize that no matter what color, shape, gender or any possible label people can tag you with, or you yourself associate yourself with, you can become anything you want if you implement the right principles and take the time to find your individual path in life. Love, being the most important principle I follow, makes seeing someone else become who they should be and succeed in life no matter what their background is, is the most rewarding thing for me. 

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.