“After every storm, there is a rainbow. If you have eyes, you will find it. If you have wisdom, you will create it. If you have love for yourself and others, you won’t need it.”
– Shannon L. Alder
Some of the most successful folks in our community thrive despite experiencing mental health challenges. We are inspired by their strength and honored that they would share their stories with us below.
Lo Artiz
Music alone has saved my life countless times. I persist for music & because of music. It’s been my medicine since I was a kid and is the tether that keeps me grounded. I struggle with bipolar disorder, pre-dominantly depressive episodes, so having music as my outlet has saved me time & time again. I also have a strong support system that has taken me a while to build. I prioritize my mental health because I have to. Read More>>
Kevin J DeBruin
The lowest point in my life came September 3, 2021. I contemplated suicide. I journaled about it but was afraid to even write down my real feelings. I was scared to write the word. I had the most emotional pain I’ve ever felt—deep depression and loneliness. I understood why someone would want to take all the pain away. I looked over at my dog Titan on the couch next to me, and thinking of him and what would happen to him is what stopped me. Why didn’t I end it? How did I pull myself out? Why did I think of Titan at that moment? Why was it that? Why wasn’t I totally selfish? And then also, why was I able to be successful in other aspects of my life at this time? Read More>>
Brianna Bollinger
I’d like to say that I’ve persisted despite a very challenging last few months. I’ve had a lot happening in my personal life which has obviously trickled into my professional life, and there have been many times when I questioned myself and just didn’t want to keep going. But I’m still here now and if you’re going thru it right now, I just wanna say that you’re loved and you’ll get through it. Read More>>
Jeff Pearson
Mental health issues seem to be running rampant these days, but I have to deal with a little extra twist. I have a Traumatic Brain Injury. Several, in fact. When I was a child, I was at Mardi Gras, standing on top of a green transformer in order to gain more height and leverage to catch some of the best throws. It seemed like a good idea at the time, or at least that’s what I assume I was thinking. Anyway, someone threw a bamboo spear at me from one of the floats. Read More>>
King Aiden
I’d say I have bad mental health. I’d say it may surprise or intrigue a lot of doctors and therapists. Although I have found ways to treat it, I feel now after almost 27 years of my life, I finally found the key. I finally put the puzzles together and just let go. Now, I am a published artist. You can find my music anywhere under King Aiden. I am in the middle of writing the biggest album of my life and my career, it tells my story and how I found my key to life and I’d like to share it with the world to help others out of their depression too Read More>>
Amanda Chase
I’ve been navigating mental health issues since I was a child, and my journey towards healing has been anything but linear. In fact, I’ve come to see it as a spiralic journey, one that requires immense courage to even embark upon. Most recently, I faced a significant challenge as I battled depression and anxiety, stemming from a multitude of factors including hormonal imbalances like fibroids, cysts, and adenoymosis, as well as the lingering effects of PTSD. Read More>>
Erica Calhoun
A year ago I was struggling to keep my mind from sliding into a low point that would have been hard for me to get out of. I have had many episodes of depression and anxiety over the years, so I saw it coming. Fortunately, I found an outlet that kept me from completely losing myself. That outlet was creating an online platform for myself to focus my attention elsewhere and to be able to express my feelings through writing. Being creative – whether it’s drawing, making music, or journaling – has always been a tool for me to use in those dark moments. Read More>>
Jeromie Jones
Many think that people who appear to have money, status, fame, power, etc., don’t have problems. This idea that money can solve all of your problems is simply a lie. In fact, it’s been my direct experience that since I have elevated in my career, income, and life, I have even more problems that money can’t solve. Those issues are further complicated by being a black man that’s openly gay, and a social media influencer, all of which carry their own unique set of stereotypes and challenges to overcome. I have experienced people who didn’t want to work with me. Read More>>
Maria Lopez
This is a sensitive topic but an important one. I have always struggled with depression and anxiety. In the beginning I felt like I could not persist. I carried such a heavy weight every day and it seemed impossible to move forward sometimes. I literally had to hit rock bottom and make the decision to give up or pick myself up. Rock bottom is a very dark place. And it’s up to you to allow that moment to be a turning point in your life, or not. In that moment I chose to rise. Read More>>
Tasha Nicholson
This question is very relevant considering that alot of people are struggling with mental health issues currently. I can attest to the fact that it is not easy nor is there an easy solution. Despite my MANY trials and tribulations I’ve always believed in my heart that I had purpose and I would come out on top so I never let anything or anyone alter that thought. I sought the help of a counselor when managing the lows were becoming too heavy and shortly after that I found an amazing church home shout out to Charisma City!! Finding a church home has been monumental in helping me through my mental health issues. Read More>>
Ryan Conlon
Just keep going. As hard as it gets just try not to give up. As the saying goes Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither will your career paths. Mental health can be a very challenging obstacle especially in terms of creativity. For me designing clothes sometimes my mental health can get in the way and create a sort of blockage there for me. If it gets that way, we try again the next day. Rainy days won’t last forever Read More>>
Matteson Gregory
Since I was a teen, I’ve struggled with depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. I was always consumed with counting my calories and questioning my existence. For years, however, I felt I was alone in my struggles. No one talked to me about mental health or that it was okay to talk about it. When I was 18 I hit my lowest point. My mom would sleep outside my room to make sure I was okay. But I think the most important thing she did was listen to how I was feeling and showed me how she has felt the same way. Read More>>
Shaquana Mccrae
Over the last three years, I have faced my anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and depression head-on. I am now completely free from both depression and suicidal thoughts. I started my walk with God five years ago, which helped me see that I was enough. If you want to overcome any mental health illness you must first believe that you are worthy of being healthy. I believe that it was important for me to conquer my battles so that I could help others do the same. I had to get to the root of the struggle and create a new belief system and therapy played a huge role as well. Read More>>
Amanda (Ames) Cook
As a young teenager I was diagnosed with clinical depression and severe anxiety. I spent years trying to find something that could help me manage the really bad days. The days when I couldn’t get out of bed, and all I wanted to do was disappear. The days I wondered if I would be better off gone. But I found that these horrible, bleak days could sometimes be made just a little better with art. Making something out of nothing, that is totally and uniquely yours is a very special thing. Read More>>
Brooks Upham
I built up an identity for myself in high school, as I’m sure most of us do. It was a time where I was discovering what makes me come alive more than I ever had before, and it was exhilarating. One of the biggest things I defined myself by was the idea of adventure. I picked up a camera at the beginning of high school, which led to many hikes early in the morning to capture beautiful mountain sunrise views. These hikes became longer and more arduous, until I was climbing up cliffs over hundreds of feet of exposure, or waking up at 11pm to hike through the night, capturing sunrise from the tops of jagged peaks. Read More>>
