“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.

Aaron Cammack

I am a person with an abject case of substance use disorder, and my “drugs of choice” were self-administered using a hypodermic needle. I’ve been sober since May 8, 2019.

First let me say this: that addiction — which for a long time now has been recognized as a health issue — is not ONLY a mental health problem. It’s a psychophysical problem that behaves as a spiritual tapeworm. It is a corrosive power that eats away at a person in much the same way other very serious biological diseases do. But a person with cancer or diabetes will typically be received with grace and kindness, with compassion and understanding. He’ll be encouraged toward healing and willingly supported by those in his life. Not so with addiction to substances. Read more>>

Amy Theisen Walz

Our family was deeply affected by mental health diagnoses. We created a facade for our family, no one have ever know we were struggling. in 2005 I had a mental health “break”. I had struggled for 18 of my then 36 years with depression and anxiety, it finally manifested itself in my 30s as anorexia. When I was two years into my therapy/recovery, our then 11-yo son attempted suicide. We were unaware of the struggles he was facing in school, until a Monday night when he attempted suicide. We discovered that night in the ER that he had been being physically bullied by “a friend”. Read more>>

Tj Ruberto

They say there are two sides to every story. In my case, I represent both of them.

My name is TJ Ruberto and I am bipolar. I have spent my entire life riding the rollercoaster of a mental health disorder I thought I had no control over until I discovered my super power.

I learned that relying on creativity allows me a semblance of normality. I have painted, sculpted, glued, and coloured. I have hyperfixated on a multitude of creative mediums while riding a manic wave and given up in frustration when the lows became too much. But there has been one creative outlet that has been a constant in my existence and, truthfully, saved my life and that is the emotional release I experience through poetry and prose. Read more>>

Spencer Brooks Otto

I have struggled with mental health issues since I was a teenager. Depression, social anxiety, suicidal ideations, and an array of other conditions have been prevalent on my journey through life thus far. There have been many moments, instances, and seasons where quitting was the most appealing option. The suffering I experienced was so great that any relief was attractive, even if it meant not living. However, I have consistently pushed through those moments, sometimes by my own will power, other times by the grace of something higher than myself. The thing that gave me the strength to push through has always been my firm, conscious belief that I was called for something great in life. I have always felt greatness inside of me, and I clung to the idea that if I can just make it through this season of darkness, it will all be worth it in the end. On the contrary, if I were to give up, I would be leaving so much potential, talent, ambition, and promise on the table, which has always scared me more than the actual suffering I have experienced. Read more>>

Lelund Hollins

Wow this is something that I don’t discuss but documented over the years but dealing with mental illness is very hard to deal with over the years. I knew growing up depression was a disease really nothing to play with. I don’t speak for those who run away from the problem instead of getting the necessary help. I only speak for the ones who’s willing to seek help and recovery. Nobody ever said it would be easy but it’s very necessary. I’ve been dealing with mental illness since Christmas week 1985 after my grandfather’s death. Afterwards my mom and I went through a tumultuous period of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. During a period of my life I lost the mother of my kids and my parents all within 18 months plus dealing with painkiller addiction. I’m so blessed to have lived through the pain, the struggles and the redemption. If it wasn’t for my faith in God which keeps me sane everyday I wouldn’t be here to tell my story finally…. Read more>>

Samantha Hertz

Throughout my life, I have struggled significantly with anxiety, which at times has been debilitating. However, I have come to view my anxiety as a superpower. This gift of catastrophic thinking allows me to foresee potential issues, thoroughly consider every possible outcome, and devise solutions for any problem that may come my way. In many ways, anxiety has been advantageous for me; it ensures that I am always prepared and ready for anything. As an excellent event planner, I anticipate every detail that could go wrong and have already identified multiple solutions for each potential issue. My anxiety also motivated me in my corporate jobs, driving me to be the first one in and the last one out. My fear of being late or viewed as lazy pushed me to succeed in ways I never imagined for myself. I have learned not only how to cope with my anxiety but also how to harness it, grow from it, and use it to my advantage. Read more>>