“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.
Zaïe
Wow, excellent question.. I think mental health in itself is very important and definitely not discussed about enough in my opinion; especially concerning men. I have had to overcome various difficulties the past 5 years including issues with my mental health. Dealing with an eating disorder, and depression can be very difficult when trying to search for sources of creativity. Read more>>
Stephanie Marks
Throughout my life, I have experienced many periods where managing my mental health has proved to be difficult and, at times, felt insurmountable. My experiences managing my own mental health challenges have uniquely equipped me to support my own clients in my career as a mental health therapist. Read more>>
Terry Ganey
I am just learning to speak out now about my struggles with depression and anxiety – two things I have battled since I was a little girl which began with the trauma of losing my father at such a young age. I feel like there is still so shame attached to the struggles with mental health issues, so I never publicly talked about it before now. Read more>>
Teresa Shunk
We can live life in fear. Or live life to the fullest. Some people experience depression at one time or another throughout their lives. For me it is situational. My life has always been an adventure. Loving and living it to the best of my ability every day! Creator has blessed me with many great stories. This is now part of my story. Read more>>
Jason Gordon
While I have battled myriad challenges related to mental health in my life, nothing has come close to the loss of my wife earlier this year. It has been the most devastating event of my life. There is no way “around” this…no denying it or ignoring it. Read more>>
Mark George
Overcoming Trauma: A Journey from Despair to Hope. In an unexpected turn of events, after years of enduring pain and hardship, I found myself destitute and without a home. The anguish became unbearable, prompting me to contemplate ending it all, a tragic fate that too many Veterans and First Responders have unfortunately succumbed to. Read more>>
Debra Moore
As the child of a Mother who had me, had my brother and had a miscarriage which resulted in Post Partum Depression, I was at a serious disadvantage. Her PPD quickly developed into a type of dangerous psychosis. My Father worked out of town in a traveling job and my younger brother and I were left in her care. Read more>>
LaCicely Young
I will start with college. I started college at 18 years old and a requirement for my degree was a psychology course. It would be my first introduction to any idea of existence of any mental challenges of the world in general. Read more>>
Yamilet Molina
I began struggling with depression as a teenager, but I didn’t realize what I was experiencing at the time. I was an athlete with good grades, but I felt empty inside. My struggles with depression and anxiety worsened when I went to college. Read more>>
Katina Douglas
I have faced many challenges in my life, from being homeless and losing my hearing to the profound grief of watching my mother die of cancer. The pandemic intensified my struggles, and my anxiety became overwhelming. Read more>>
Jermaine Ju$t Tha Realne$$ RAMOS
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 6 and learned that mental health is often overlooked and not addressed. By the time I was an adult, I knew I had to care about my mental health because people around me are not always going to care. Read more>>
