We've all heard the phrase "reclaiming my time" too many times to count. It was the iconic phrase Congresswoman Maxine Waters used during a meeting that took the internet by storm. 

Photo: Giphy

Since then, countless numbers of memes, think pieces, and even a gospel song honoring the mantra have been created. The creator of the gospel song "Reclaiming My Time," Broadway's Mykal Kilgore is using his talent in a spectacular way. 

Chirlane McCray, wife of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, launched a video campaign with  Kilgore to start spreading her message this past Sunday — World Suicide Prevention. 

“There’s still too many people out there with misconceptions about mental illness,” McCray says in the video. “There’s so much work to do to change the culture but there’s so little time.” 

“Oh, so you’re ready to reclaim your time?” Kilgore begins to sing.

It's no secret that there is a stigma around mental health, especially in the black community. McCray is looking to change that. Last October, she launched the NYC Well Program,  which grants New York City citizens access to help for mental illness and substance misuse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through phone, text and chat. 

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in America. This has lead McCray to join the fight for treating mental health the same way we would physical health. 

“It’s so important to reclaim time for mental health,” McCray says in the video.

We love what this campaign is doing! Reclaiming our time should be a standard, not a luxury. 

To learn more about NYC Well, or how you can get involved, check out the company's website.

Reclaiming my time