Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Jackson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t have a perfect or traditional path into mental health. I grew up in an environment that was unstable at times, and early on I learned how much people can struggle silently. Books became an escape for me when I was younger, and that’s where I first started to understand emotions, resilience, and different perspectives.
As I got older, that naturally turned into a desire to help people in a real, tangible way. I started in nursing, and working directly with patients only confirmed that mental health care was where I belonged. Over time, I advanced my education and became a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Throughout my career, I saw a major gap in how mental health care is delivered. Many patients feel rushed, unheard, or like they’re just being treated as a diagnosis instead of a person. That didn’t sit right with me. So I made the decision to build something of my own.
I opened The Mental Day Psychiatry to create a space where patients feel comfortable, respected, and truly listened to. My approach is very real and very human. I focus on understanding the full picture of someone’s life, not just prescribing medication and moving on.
Today, I’m continuing to grow my practice while staying grounded in why I started this in the first place to help people feel better, function better, and know they’re not alone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many people in healthcare, I’ve had to navigate both personal and professional challenges at the same time. Balancing being a mother while building a career in mental health wasn’t always easy, especially while advancing my education and taking on more responsibility.
Professionally, one of the biggest challenges has been seeing the gaps in the mental health system and deciding to step outside of that structure to build something of my own. Starting a private practice comes with a lot of uncertainty.
There have also been moments where I had to stand firm in my decisions, even when it wasn’t the easiest path. Whether that meant setting boundaries, making difficult business decisions, or trusting myself when things felt uncertain.
But every challenge has reinforced why I do this. It’s made me more resilient, more intentional, and more committed to creating a space where patients feel supported and understood.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Mental Day Psychiatry . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the owner and founder of The Mental Day Psychiatry, a private mental health practice based in Southaven, Mississippi. My practice focuses on treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders, while also offering more advanced treatment options like Spravato and GeneSight testing.
What makes my practice different is the approach. I don’t believe in rushed appointments or treating people like a checklist of symptoms. I take the time to understand each patient’s full story and create individualized treatment plans that actually make sense for their lives.
As the practice continues to grow, my focus is on expanding access to quality mental health care in my community while maintaining the level of care and attention that each patient deserves.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think there’s a misconception that you need one perfect mentor to guide everything, and that hasn’t really been my experience. My journey has been more about learning from different people at different stages.
As I’ve built my practice, I’ve connected with other providers, consultants, and professionals in the field who each bring something valuable. Some have helped with the clinical side, others with the business side, and some simply by sharing their experiences and what they’ve learned along the way.
My advice would be to be intentional about who you learn from. Not everyone who offers advice is someone you should follow. Pay attention to people who are doing what you actually want to do, and who operate in a way that aligns with your values.
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out. A lot of opportunities and connections come from simply starting a conversation. Networking doesn’t have to be formal it can be as simple as building genuine relationships with people in your field.
I’m still growing in this area myself, but I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with the right people makes a huge difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thementalday.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585451272155
