As the prevalence of mental health issues increases and affects an ever larger number of our friends and family, it becomes essential that we create spaces for folks to talk about how they overcame or persisted despite mental health challenges. Here, we’ve tried to create a safe space for people to come together and discuss their stories, experiences, triumphs and failures with managing their mental health issues.

Andrew Araya

Being a division 1 soccer player and having the privilege to represent the Chilean national team has brought me unforgettable moments. I’ve traveled to Germany, Italy, and Chile, playing the game I love at the highest level. From the outside, it looks like a dream. But what most people don’t see is the struggle, the pressure, the sacrifices, and the emotional toll of being far from the people I love most. Leaving home wasn’t just about missing familiar places, it was about missing my family. My older brother, sister, mom, dad, and girlfriend, grandma, everyone in my family have always been my support.  Read More>>

Syvanna Ascencio

If I am being honest, persisting and perseverance has been a challenge when it comes to my mental health especially as a business owner and a mother. My business in the very beginning actually started out as a hobby due to the fact that I was afraid of getting PPD. I have always been the type of person that has had to always be doing something or try to be productive and after much therapy sessions I learned that this was a sort of coping mechanism when it came to my mental health. Read More>>

Amanda Klassen

A few years ago, I was in a mental health spiral. It turned out that I had Bipolar Disorder (type ii) and didn’t find out until I was 32. At first I was crushed by the diagnosis due to how I had been taught to look at mental disorders. I had basically been taught that either they were not real or they were a sign of extreme weakness and an excuse to dismiss anything the mentally ill said/did. I didn’t treat others that way, I knew that way of thinking was highly flawed, but I found myself having a harder time treating myself with the same kindness.  Read More>>

Henry Menzel

It’s a tricky question to answer because I believe that persistence and success in overcoming poor mental health are not linear. I used to think otherwise! I grew up believing my happy season finale was coming and that I’d be able to put certain problems or issues to rest, never to deal with them again. But much like good TV, the bad guys can always come back. Read More>>

Krystal Jae Sanders

One day, my Jenga tower of life came crashing down, and everything, all my past traumatic experiences, came flooding back in, overloading my mind, body, and spirit all at once. I was past broken. Zero was finally reached. Read More>>

Lauren Garza

As a wedding planner, my job revolves around creating joyful, meaningful moments for others — but I’ve learned firsthand how deeply personal pain and mental health challenges can shape our lives behind the scenes. I lost my dad to suicide on Father’s Day of 2021, and that experience shook me to my core. Grief, guilt, confusion, and a deep sadness were all part of my journey. Read More>>

Danica Feuz

My mental health issues first presented themselves during my first job after college, at a media publishing house. I was at the top of my career, having just been awarded a trip to our European offices after successfully driving the highest sales revenue in the New York office for Q3 of 2019. Around that time, I had my first panic attack—in the middle of a meeting, no less. Read More>>

Allan

Mental health has been a lifelong challenge for me, especially with depression and anxiety. There are days when that inner voice tells me I’m not good enough; that I’m failing. It’s hard not to shut down completely, especially when so much in life feels overwhelming.
As an immigrant from Mexico City, I’ve faced racism and been made to feel small because of who I am and where I come from. Read More>>

Jess Rauls

Building and deeply understanding a toolkit for whatever I need as challenges are presented is most helpful. If you want to see your weaknesses, start a business. It’s like truth serum for all that requires growth within yourself. As a result, mental health can reach peaks and valleys and it’s important to devote time to understanding and processing your own emotions. Your own growth. When you know what impacts you and have the tried and true resources to re-centering yourself; the weight feels lighter when something surfaces.  Read More>>