“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.
Yuka Yu
When I first moved to the United States, I left my family friends and life in Taiwan behind. My English wasn’t very good, and I didn’t really know anyone. It was exciting at first, but soon I became homesick, depressed and suffered from culture shock. I didn’t know how to drive and couldn’t get around easily and wasn’t used to the food and environment. Read more>>
Victoria Woolard
My family has a long history of anxiety and depression. It’s something that I, too have dealt with since I was a teenager. I didn’t really understand and translate it to that at the time. I would avoid things that made me nervous or seemed to take me too outside of my comfort zone. I kept busy as a coping mechanism and tried being around others as much as I could. As I got older I carried the same way of finding comfort with me as time went on. It wasn’t until college that it really started to have an effect on me. Ultimately I came back home, started volunteering and enrolled in the community college. The volunteering was something that allowed me to be outside of myself more and do for others. I eventually graduated and became a Director of Recreation. I loved it, but when COVID hit I had a newborn and ultimately lost my job. My husband and I always found tranquility in being by the water and collecting sea glass. He ultimately encouraged me to craft with it. When I did, it was like something clicked. I taught myself all the techniques I now know and have many products I create by scratch because of it. In between starting a new business, I had two babies under two and fifteen months apart. I was diagnosed with post postpartum with both girls and some days were challenging to connect with them and even get up. My faith carried me through for sure. I also had a great support system too in my husband and extended family. I used positive self talk, scripture, and affirmations daily to keep going. My crafting and business gave me something for me despite the challenging things I was going through. Something that was fun and allowed me to express myself. Additionally, my husband and babies kept me going too, and my husband was very intentional about helping me through the day when I needed it. Eventually, I started teaching workshops and they expanded to other states! Now, my business has three contracted workshop leaders who are also moms who were looking for a lot of the same qualities in a job that I was! It’s beautiful that I have been able to give them the same opportunity and guidance I was looking for when I started this business! Read more>>
Caitlin Holmes
For most of my adult life, I’ve struggled with depression and PMDD. These experiences were compounded by an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, and a relentless inner critic that left me with poor self-esteem and an extreme lack of confidence. I felt as though I couldn’t show up fully in my life, held back by an overwhelming lack of trust in myself and a deep sense of guilt for having these experiences in the first place. Read more>>
Andres Carbajal
Well for me, I had to swallow my pride and asked for help. I was going through a rough period where I felt overwhelmed, constantly worried about what others thought of me, sudden mood swings, and felt that I wasn’t recognized at work for my work and experience. Then, I lost 2 significant loved ones, within a year. Read more>>
Jeffrey Schlissel
Persisting Through Mental Health Challenges: My Journey
Are you facing challenges in life due to mental health? How does one overcome what they’re going through? For years, I’ve battled mental health issues, and since 2018, I’ve been sharing my story. Now, my journey is in print—Craveable Obsessed: Journals of a Food-Addicted Chef is available for purchase. But this is not just any cookbook. The first part is all about my journey, while the second part features family recipes that I’ve made healthier. This book is raw and unfiltered because mental health isn’t pretty. Read more>>
Macshayne Walpole
I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression for years. Growing up in a household with a stepfather I had issues with made me feel worthless and that I didn’t matter. I began to feel inferior to my younger sister because I was not blood-related to my step father, and she was. I recall a time when my step-father was at the top of our staircase, yelling, and he admitted he loved my sister more. Another time when I was chased around the house and had to flee outside comes to mind. Divorce was a frequent topic in our household. This led to me spiraling into depression. I started to believe that I was supposed to feel this way because I was in fact worthless. Read more>>
Donna Hartley
I’ve faced many challenges, from a traumatic childhood and financial struggles to being a single mother to a severely mentally disabled and autistic son. On top of that, I have Fragile X syndrome, autism, and suffer from depression. Despite these hurdles, I’ve found strength in my faith, believing that there is a Creator or universal energy that wants me to succeed and be happy. My resilience is fueled by prayer, an incredible support system of friends, and a commitment to viewing every situation as a gift. My son is truly a gift from God and the love of my life. I focus on kindness, practice unconditional love, and persist because giving up is never an option. I also take practical steps to maintain my mental health, including reading uplifting books, surrounding myself with positive influences, and taking anti-depressants. My doctor wisely reminded me that just as diabetics need insulin, I need serotonin. This perspective has empowered me to accept help and continue striving for greatness, knowing that I am strong, fearless, and capable of extraordinary things. Read more>>
Dr. Tera Mcintosh
Like all hard things in life, from conflict, to death, to break-ups, to mental health-every challenge has an energy to it. You can take that energy and you can sit in it and let it consume you—burn you down into ashes—or you can take that energy and throw it over your shoulder and beat on and rise from it. Read more>>
