“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.
Alexandra Thomas
So I have autism, OCD, depression and anxiety and I have really struggled with all of this my entire life. I’ve been seeing multiple therapists for a few years now and I couldn’t recommend therapy more highly, I’ve been lucky enough to find and surrounded myself with people who really love and accept me on my good days and my worst days who want the best for me in life, which has been a big help in my mental health journey and my recovery from so many problems as well; but before I had therapists and a support system– and even now with those things– my art has really helped me from a very young age to not only let myself feel and process whatever emotion I may be experiencing that day but it helps me to get through that extreme emotion by having this safe creative form to express it. Read more>>
Adisa Kareem
Creativity allows me to persist in my career despite personal mental health challenges. Having a passion for illustration has given me an outlet that I am able to use to cope with life’s challenges. Read more>>
Catrina Clark
Mental health is the focus of my business. This illness has permeated my family for a few generations. My mother, suffered from mental illness, so much so that my 3 siblings and I were unable to be raised by her. I grew up in foster care with my 2 brothers. Read more>>
Jessica Harris
Chronic Migraine has changed my life irreversibly. Imagine a life of chronic illness where, day in and day out, you live in near-constant pain coupled with many other fun symptoms like nausea, brain fog, head and neck pain, dizziness, head pressure, aphasia, and swelling. You don’t get to choose or plan how you will feel when you wake up each day. Read more>>
Charmayne Bradberry
“Throughout my life, I have faced various challenges related to mental health issues. However, I have developed several strategies to overcome and persist despite these challenges. Firstly, I pray continuously and prioritize self-care as my daily routine. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, practicing mindfulness and meditation, and ensuring I get enough rest. Read more>>
Olivia Cook
This one hits home for me because I’ve battled with my mental health for years. I know it’s something many people battle with. Each time the battle is different. There are factors that make each situation unique. Certain things that have put me on a bad mental track. Read more>>
Jessica Guzman
As a first-gen Mexican American, it once felt very lonely to navigate the symptoms and challenges related to mental health issues. It wasn’t until recently our culture began to openly speak on mental health and all its complexities. Certainly, it wasn’t because mental health struggles were not felt and experienced in our families and households, but it was a taboo topic and one that we did not feel comfortable talking about. Read more>>
Chanel Cooper
Thank you for this question. I had to become aware of my mental health first then once I realized my level of well-being was not where I wanted it to be, I desired to become a better person for myself. (That’s what feeds a healthier mental, being kind to you for you. ) In that I prayed and affirmed what I wanted and God prepared me for who I needed to become. Read more>>
Andrew Såulf, CSI
I have Bipolar disorder and ADHD. This makes it difficult to finish projects, stay focused enough to be efficient during the day and to deal with clients regularly who make critiques on my creative work. Number one, you have to accept the reality of this disorder and find the correct medication mixture that works for you and to stick to taking it religiously. Read more>>
Elisa Nicole
Mental health can be a crazy battle. Sometimes you can see the battle that is happening. Other times you can’t see it, let alone label it. Given my background, balancing mental health has been such a journey. This journey has had some major growing pains to say the least. I have also had some wonderful highs. Read more>>
Cassandra Kay
2018 I started experiencing severe anxiety and depression. At the time, I really had no idea what these strong emotions were. It took me about a year to seek help from a therapist who confirmed what my mom and I thought I was experiencing. I learned through the help of my therapist that I had always had anxiety but big life changes, like picking up my entire life and moving to a different state away from all my family triggered it to become so severe. Read more>>
Alec Messer
Growing up in a household marked by the stark contrast between an overly religious parent on one side and the challenges posed by addiction on the other, I’ve encountered my fair share of mental health obstacles. During my formative years, I lacked the necessary coping mechanisms and positive habits to navigate these challenges effectively. However, music emerged as my lifeline and a form of therapy that helped me persist despite the turbulence. Read more>>
Erica Hoff
This is a tough one. If I’m being completely honest here, 2022 was the hardest year of my life. Mental health is so important and many of us take it for granted. I’ve always struggled with mental health, but constantly being busy in life helped me not think about it too much. However, 2022 didn’t give me the chance to distract myself with my issues. Read more>>
Crystal Wilson
I think the first step to overcoming challenges related to mental health issues is to first admit and recognize that you need help! So many people are afraid to admit that they are dealing with some very detrimental issues in life. I started going to therapy over a year ago and it has helped me so much. I have discovered so many things about myself that I never even knew were rooted inside of me. Read more>>
Chxsen.11
Tbh, mental health is a never ending battle. But, the only way I’ve found some sort of tranquility is by simply trusting the process. Remember, the only way forward is by going through the motions. Don’t Give Up on Urself. Read more>>
