“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.
Cecilia Marie
Doing tattoos and being part of the tattoo journey is what really saved me when it came to overcoming my struggles with mental health. Art has always been my therapy, and tattooing provides me with a creative outlet that helps me process my own emotions and struggles. The ability to connect with others through the tattoo process is incredibly healing for me. It allows me to give back to my community, particularly veterans, by offering tattoos that help others on their own healing journeys. I feel truly blessed to be able to use my art to not only help others express themselves but also support mental health in a meaningful way. Read more>>
Christopher Burgett
Lights, Camera, Action
It’s all I knew. It’s all I ever prepared for. Performing in front of a crowd wasn’t just something I loved—it was what defined me. The energy of the fans, the roar of the stadium, the crackle of the intercom systems. Locking eyes with the opposition during the captain’s coin toss. The sharp, earthy smell of freshly cut grass beneath my cleats. It felt like going into battle, a place where adrenaline and purpose collided. Read more>>
Alyssa Cromer
Overcoming mental health challenges has been a long and ongoing journey for me. I’ve struggled with my mental health for years, and recently, those struggles impacted not only my personal life but also the path I took in launching my business. The real turning point came after a car accident that left me with both physical and mental setbacks. For a while, everything felt more difficult—tasks that once felt effortless, both big and small, became overwhelming. Staying focused, whether on work or in my personal life, was a constant challenge, and there were many days when I had to force myself to push through. Read more>>
Jonathan Marcotte
I have had symptoms of Narcolepsy Type 2 (NT2) since elementary school, though I didn’t know it at the time. NT2 is a neurocognitive mental health disorder that affects the brain’s ability to maintain deep sleep (the reparative and restful sleep stage), which results in several symptoms, including: fatigue, sleep attacks, and irritability – all the problems you might expect if you did not sleep for a few days. NT2 differs from Type 1 (NT1) in that it has all the same symptoms except for cataplexy (losing bodily control and collapsing in the presence of strong emotions). Therefore, it wasn’t as obvious as NT1 to see that something was wrong. Read more>>
Daniel Mariotti
Mental health has been a significant part of my journey, both personally and as an artist. I’ve faced depression as a constant in my life, coupled with self-doubt that constantly challenges my ability/willingness to create. What I’m working on to persist is using art as a means of processing and making sense of these feelings. My series Hello, Sunshine is a direct reflection of this—it’s rooted in personal stories and the complex emotions tied to memory, identity, and family. The act of transforming something intangible, like grief or uncertainty, into tangible artwork has been incredibly therapeutic. It’s taught me that creativity is not only a way to express but also to heal. Read more>>
Charles Ivy
Facing mental health challenges is a grievous personal journey of mine. For the better part of my life, I have struggled with mental health issues. It has often made me feel fraught with the obstacles and uncertainties I face. My ability to navigate this path with resilience demonstrates the strength of the human spirit. My story of resilience may offer hope and guidance for others facing similar challenges. That said, every mental health journey is unique, involving a complex interplay of emotions, experiences, and coping mechanisms. While the challenges can feel overwhelming, my story of how I have persevered offers a powerful reminder that healing and growth are possible. I thank God every day I’m here. The reason is that I shouldn’t be here today writing about anything, but I had a moment this year when a Guardian Angel came and saved me. I didn’t know her, but she saw I was struggling on the third-floor patio of my apartment, called for assistance from authorities, and intervened. Read more>>
J.r. Rice
As a Black man from Oakland, CA, I have faced many hardships and obstacles, but my journey with mental health has been my biggest challenge. However, I have come to accept that being bipolar is part of my identity, and I want to encourage others to embrace the “ups and downs” as the beauty of mental health. Read more>>
Mélia Lisette
There is a blessing and a curse to acting. On one hand, I have the privilege to pretend to be someone else for my job. I get to wear beautiful costumes, do my hair in fun new ways and experience things seventeen year old of me only could have dreamed about. On the other hand, when I have don’t have work and have to sit around sending in auditions and applications on casting sites, I find my mental health tends to suffer. I am not a person that is able to simply sit around and not do something. When it happens, I spiral into the “what ifs” rather than focus on the now. What I’ve discovered is the “what ifs” can inevitably turn into something creative. This last year, I’ve spent the days trapped at home channeling those panicked “what ifs” into writing. Read more>>
