“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.
Jake Yablonski
For quite a while, I’ve struggled with persistent anxiety and occasional bouts of depression. I started my business at only 19 years old, and truthfully, I don’t think I was ready for that type of responsibility back then. My mental health needed to be addressed, but it wasn’t something I was paying enough attention to at the time. Instead, I was busy pouring all my energy into building a business for the wrong reasons. Read More>>
Leah Nadeau
At the age of 7 I was diagnosed with ADHD, and at age 9 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As an adult, I’ve struggled with finding balance between my passion for my career and avoiding burnout. Chronic overwhelm caused by ADHD strongly affects me by manifesting as intense anxiety when faced with numerous tasks to handle, or if I’ve taken on a large workload in a small amount of time. Overworking myself and neglecting self-care can lead to panic attacks and bouts of extreme exhaustion. Read More>>
DeShaun Williams
This is such an interesting question, for those who don’t know me, My name is DeShaun Williams, and this question actually hits home for me, because in September of 2018, I actually tried to take my own life, but fortunately it failed, and I’m here to continue telling my story. So when it comes to overcoming the challenges related to mental health, I had to actually go through therapy during my time at the hospital, and once I was released I was put on prescription medication, and told to follow up with my primary care physician, which I did for about a year, but during that year, I was healing myself internally, and naturally, so I actually took myself off that medication, because I finally understood where that hurt, and suppressed emotion was coming from, and when I understood it, I could now look at things at a glass half full point of view, instead of a glass half empty point of view. Read More>>
Zsa-Zsa Rosado
Perseverance. As a 22 year old and being a young adult, I had grown up quickly and had been through a lot of challenges/trauma that had caused a downfall to my mental health. I strongly support and advocate a lot about mental health by verbally discussing about that topic but also showing through my actions on what I do to not overwhelm myself in overcoming it completely but to try to minimize the mental health challenges to make it less overwhelming. In order to master overcoming challenges despite the mental health issue, is to journal about what you are grateful for in which you can search prompts for it specifically. Seeking help such as a professional therapist, venting to someone who you trust, and doing your best to have at least 5 minutes of your day to be present and enjoy it. Read More>>
Christina “Chrissie Christ” Anderson
That is a great question. I would say that I have been persistent about overcoming any challenge related to my mental health or and have found resources to help me overcome any unexpected situation. Some of the things I have found helpful along the way have been reading, spending time with my immediate family, and praying. These are my top 3 outlets that turn to in those difficult times. Read More>>
Remy Smith
So I have anxiety, and depression with a splash of adhd to ramp everything up. I’ve been on an upswing this past year working on amazing projects. Unfortunately on the rare occasion when all 3 combine I’m out for the count. I don’t work because it’s effected, and need to work on myself to get back to baseline. I use a mixture of nature ( usually beach ), animal cuddles and medication ( preferably nature made ) to help get out of my funk. I don’t think anyone truly overcomes mental illness, we learn to cope with it and hope it doesn’t win. Read More>>
Tamara Carruthers
I have a family history of mental health issues ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and suicide. So, at an early age I knew what mental health issues looked like and how they could impact my life. So, when I started experiencing bouts out depression around 17-18 years old I knew exactly what was happening, but I didn’t know how to care for myself. Even though we all as a family knew that mental disorders were alive and well, we never really ever talked about it. There I was struggling pretty much on my own but not willing to let it destroy my life, so I started doing research on my own. Read More>>
Caitlin Alexander
As a self-employed freelancing illustrator/designer with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I learned pretty quickly that I had to find a balance with my work and my mental health or neither were going to be in good shape. Overstuffing my schedule in the past just caused me to panic about being able to achieve it all– panic about letting people down, about ruining my reputation as a freelancer that always delivered, not just on time, but early, high quality work. I always managed to make it happen, exceed deadlines and show up for events, but even after proving it to myself time and time again, the panic never left. Read More>>
Shamel Hazzard
Hey My name is Shamel J. Hazzard and I’m the (Founder & C.E.O)of Success Cartel L.L.C aka The Success Spot and I’m really glad that we decided to take this time to discuss the importance of Mental Health and What effects it has on people today. As an Experienced Mental Health Patient Multiple Times I must say it is not an easy recovery road for the most part but for me what works is always knowing and believing that your not put here on Earth without a Reason and Keeping your eyes determined towards that purpose and your overall well being and Success. Read More>>
Aliayah
I wouldn’t say I have overcame my mental health illnesses but I have learned how to cope with them Whenever I am having an episode I just use my coping skills my favorite is my 5 senses so I find something green , what’s the smell I’m smelling explain it to myself , what can I touch or am touching, what can I hear at the moment. Learning that has helped me calm myself in stressful situations and I’ve also learned to acknowledge the signs that I may have started an episode or will be soon and prepare myself and my thoughts to help me gather myself and remind myself it’s not totally my mind thinking whatever it will think during an episode. Read More>>
Nadia Simms
I have struggled with mental health and self esteem in the past and even still now at times. What I have learned over time is that to not think in those ways and to have better self confidence. That is why I created YummiPop. YummiPop is not just a brand but I want it to be a community where people can feel good about themselves from the inside out because that is where beauty begins from the inside. Read More>>
