“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.
Ashley Harrington
Art woke me up to the importance of my mental well-being. Before I started my art practice, I persisted through distractions. I was never on a level of self-awareness to understand why emotions are so important. Once I started painting, curiosity could only go so far as my mental walls would allow. I knew I had to start processing decades of repressed emotions to create authentic art. Read more>>
Charlotte Cook
When I was 16 I was diagnosed with severe anxiety. The anxiety was borderline debilitating, to the point where I cut off almost all social and extra-circular activities. I found myself crying at the most normal. An unexpected pit stop to the grocery store after school would completely overwhelm me. Read more>>
Britt Kidd
I have persisted despite the challenges related to mental health issues because I do not have a choice- I do not have a plan B or a rich uncle in the Midwest, or a knight and shining armor. I cannot let my ADHD or Manic Depression stop me from pushing everyday to support myself and do better than yesterday. It’s never easy, but when the only person you can rely on is yourself, then you are forced to be strong and thrive. Read more>>
Pete Jones
Below is a page describing a lot of mental health challenges I went through for YEARS, including many suicide attempts and a short stay at a mental facility, and how after 15 years on pharmaceuticals (mood stabilizers and antidepressants) I was able to begin again, this time with experience, hope, and relentless effort. Read more>>
Brittany Styles
As of late, persistence has been a tricky topic for me. Someone recently told me that I just continue to persevere. Despite all of the road blocks and challenges – I just keep going. They shared how proud of me they were and the conversation changed topics. Prior to that conversation, I had never really used the word persistent to describe myself. Read more>>
Nathaniel Grauwelman
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this topic as it means a lot to me. Read more>>
Amber Rankin
When I was first contacted about doing this article, I was not in a very good place mentally. You see, I suffer from severe pain on a daily basis, which caused my history of depression to creep back in. This year has been especially difficult with health issues and depression, and the joy I’ve always felt with creating new jewelry pieces just vanished. Read more>>
Mary Haberski
As my mom would say, life has not been easy for me, but it has been good to me. Today I want to share a little bit of my story in hopes it can support you and your mental health journey. Read more>>
