“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.
Caitlin Messerschmitt
I have persisted against my own mental health challenges by having a strong inner drive for learning and growing. I have never been a star student type. I didn’t think I was a good learner for most of my life, but I am fascinated about how the brain and nervous system works. I have found tools such as the Enneagram, Internal Family Systems, and SoulCollage® that have helped me understand myself and others better. Read more>>
Jennifer Moraca
I have bipolar disorder and complex PTSD and it makes life an uphill battle sometimes. I think people tend to romanticize the struggling/tortured artist trope. There is an idea that great art must come from suffering. And while suffering is a part of life and a lot of great art is inspired by hardships we face, poor mental health can be a real detriment to art. Read more>>
Vanessa Bennish
As a Mental Health Warrior living with depression and anxiety, it has been imperative to regularly reevaluate my business practices to make sure this career – that I love so dearly – remains sustainable for the years to come. Outside of pursuing therapy and psychiatry, which is of vital importance, this has meant setting new boundaries, taking on less volume, unlearning unhealthy perfectionist and people-pleasing tendencies, outsourcing tasks, and so much more. Read more>>
Naim David
I have not had the chance to speak about mental health. I think it is important that we share our struggles and how we have attempted to overcome those issues, especially in a field like filmmaking where self doubt and imposter syndrome is strong. Everything is surface level so we assume everything is okay, but we all struggle with mental issues no matter how big or small. Read more>>
Deora Clairé
The truth is I’m still persisting through the mental health challenges I face. This is a journey that started in July of 2019 when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental illness consisting of both manic and depression episodes. I had my first severe manic episode and was sent to a mental hospital. Read more>>
Lindsey Velotta
Mental Health has always played a big factor in all of my life. Growing up, I struggled with depression, high anxiety, and addiction; which resulted to trying to end my life a few times. I was very reluctant to go get help because in my eyes I was fine. I was on countless meds to try and numb the pain. Read more>>
Britta Okes Carlisle
Overcoming my own mental health and physical health challenges has given me both the grace and the courage to support people in their journey to the same. I believe that as a therapist & healer, to some degree you can only take your clients to the depths you have yourself journeyed, and I have deeply committed to my own healing. Read more>>
Zontayvia Solomon Jiles
For a long time, I was in denial about my issues. I was experiencing blackout episodes, nervousness, and headaches that seemed to last for days. My final straw to get help was when I was walking down the hall at work with a glass bottle ( I was on a juicing cleanse and drinking juice), and I dropped the glass. The glass broke before patients, and I remember shaking and crying. Read more>>
Project Pinball Charity Group, Inc.
At Project Pinball Charity, the team is encouraged to put their mental health first. This task may seem almost impossible considering the culture that comes with the territory, charities are known for burnout. But, that is exactly what we try to avoid. The team is small, there are 5 of us, and each person is responsible for crucial roles. Read more>>
Teresa Foss
Mental illness is often misunderstood. Because it’s hard to tell if someone is suffering from depression, society does not always show the sympathy or empathy that they would to someone who has outward physical pain and symptoms. I have lived with anxiety and depression most of my life and just in the last few years have I felt comfortable talking about it publicly. Read more>>
Ashley Ruff
Back about 10 years ago, I had just moved to Atlanta, GA with my husband to start his new career. He needed a change because the cable industry was changing and we decided it might be a new exciting place on the map. However, I had already been diagnosed and suffering from depression. I knew my career as an artist was one I didn’t take lightly, it had always worked out for me, despite how much I had moved and restarted my business in different cities, but this time was different. Read more>>
Deanna Port
Living in today’s media-saturated world presents one of its toughest challenges in the form of its impact on our mental well-being. It’s often disheartening to witness others excelling in your field, receiving the recognition you crave. You don’t get as many likes, views or interactions on your accounts. Read more>>
Caroline Broadbent and Avery Wallace
Both the owners of Float Franklin carry an official diagnosis of OCD. And while we run the risk of speaking too candidly for potential customers, we are committed to being completely transparent when it comes to Mental health and struggles with substance abuse. OCD can be incredibly destructive and debilitating, often rendering its sufferers unable to work or lead a “normal” life. Read more>>
Ameera Surka
Mental health is a very real demon that I fight in my everyday life. Some days it’s easy, some days even getting out of bed feels impossible. For many years I tried to drown out the anxiety and the sadness and triggers, but it only left me feeling exhausted and constantly high strung. That was before I decided to fully understand my mental health and psyche. Read more>>
