“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.
Bruce Dunbar
Being a recovering Alcoholic who has had bi polar issues can be challenging when dealing with so many personalities and day to day business decisions. For me the donkeys and horses keep me grounded, centered and focused. They put things in perspective and allow me the space to work things out in my own time frame. They bring home the importance of being part of the herd while allowing for individuals to be themselves. Read more>>
Diamond Holts
I battle anxiety and depression every day. It’s a constant struggle to keep up with the demands of work, my goals, and life in general. I’ve found that there are certain things that help me cope with the challenges related to mental health issues. Read more>>
Alexander Cantu
Mental health is such a buzzword these days, I’ve always wonder what I can add to the quality of the conversation. Throughout the past 5 years of earning my stripes, paying my dues, ego being bruised, inconsistencies with people, opportunities, and jobs, my mental health was always handed a constant challenge. Read more>>
DeAnna Butler
The Grace of God has allowed me to endure my battles with my mental health issues. We have had four successful writeups through this company. This will be the fifth. The last four kind of stand out. The first article was two years after being in business. It went live in July of 2018. The next four articles that includes this one came after a very trying time in my life. And the lives of my family. On November 18, 2020, one of my daughters was maliciously murdered. The details are hard to share so I won’t. Read more>>
Christine Jackson
My mental health challenges have been with me for as long as I can remember. I have always prevailed. It is often difficult. I’ve even attempted to call it quits. In all honesty, for me there is always a different reason to keep going. Once it was because I owed someone $40. I told myself I can’t leave without paying them back first. Or I promised my boss I would help with that project, and I can’t just not do it. There is always a reason to keep going, no matter how silly it may seem to others. There is no wrong reason. Today my reason is mostly purpose. Read more>>
Nicole Freeman
By becoming self aware. I had to face the fact that I suffer with depression. I HAD TO accept that FIRST before I could ever even begin to heal myself. Once that happened, I started to research. I joined groups and did more research. Most importantly, I became vocal about my life living with depression and axiety. More people suffer from it than most realize. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Read more>>
Kristan Howard-Cooper
I have been able to overcome despite the challenges related to my anxiety because of my art. If it weren’t for me being able to find that outlet, I don’t know where I’d be. Of course, God is the number one resource but even God says to keep yourself busy during times of distress. Art is the way I express my anxieties/fears instead of allowing them to take over. Read more>>
Rickale West
I really appreciate this question because as I am now in a space of feeling like a true advocate for mental health awareness. I believe I can only claim that, having persisted through my own struggles with mental health issues. For the record I am clinically diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression. Sometimes it is one or the other and sometimes they work as a team. Read more>>
Sherraya Smith
I believe I’ve persisted through challenges related to mental health issues with the help of my responsibilities, self-orientation and the mentorship of others. Embracing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as if the challenges set before me is just the beginning of my journey. On some days, I’m not going to lie, I find myself fighting the urge to just stay in bed and not get up. Read more>>
Gretchen Pleshaw
I live with Anxiety every single day of my life. I have come to realize that so many others deal with it daily as well. I have found the more that I open up and share my story of anxiety with others the more I don’t feel so alone. It is a continuous battle to search for and ultimately find the light and beauty in each and every day however I am realizing more and more that my anxiety is what makes me such an empathetic and caring person. Read more>>
Cienna Rose
I’ve struggled with depression since I was a teenager. My sadness becomes intense, feelings of hopelessness pop up and I am absolutely exhausted. Running my own business through bouts of depression, has been a challenge. Last year, I finally felt the burnout of keeping my baby business afloat through the pandemic. The emotions I’d been suppressing manifested as acne, disordered eating and fatigue. Smiling and showing up for work and close friends became difficult. Read more>>
SeQuoiya Lawrence
The crazy part about being strong is nobody knows when you’re not ok. When i was diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety when my mom passed away, my first thought was this has to be a mistake. When i thought about it tho i lost my drive because my biggest cheerleader was gone now! I also understood that laying around drowning in my sorrows wasn’t going to accomplish anything either. I had to find my purpose and from that my non profit was born. Read more>>
Alyse Verone (Mgrdichian)
With mental illness, persistence is a requirement of all aspects of life, not just professionally. However, from a creative standpoint (e.g., writing & drawing), I would say it’s really helpful having a support group that helps nudge you onward when you start to dig your heels in. For me, that looks like my parents and a couple close friends. They hold a mirror to me and show me what I’m truly capable of, without becoming dishonest in their encouragement. (Unjustified confidence is, in my opinion, just as dangerous as inaction or pessimism.) Read more>>
