As the prevalence of mental health issues increases and affects an ever larger number of our friends and family, it becomes essential that we create spaces for folks to talk about how they overcame or persisted despite mental health challenges. Here, we’ve tried to create a safe space for people to come together and discuss their stories, experiences, triumphs and failures with managing their mental health issues.
Daveda Janine 
How have you overcome or persisted despite the challenges related to mental health issues? I remember the day I hit my lowest point. I wanted to end it all—and this was after I had finally let go of the belief that going to therapy meant I lacked faith. I had started seeing a therapist and thought I was getting better. Read More>>
Carl Evans
I would say I have thrived as opposed to overcome or persisted. I have dedicated nearly 20 years to mental health and suicide prevention as a lived-experience advocate, educator, and executive of impactful non-profits. This work was built on learned lessons from my own mental health challenges with abuse in early childhood and adolescence, and the ensuing traumas and behavioral disorders that emerged. Read More>>
Corbin Bosiljevac
My mental health issues stem from being a people pleaser. I didn’t recognize it until I was in my late 30’s, but realizing that this actually caused me anxiety helped me overcome so many struggles in my life. The struggle is still there. But, facing your fears is the only way to move forward in life. Read More>>
Colleen Cushman
Overcoming and persisting through mental health challenges hasn’t been a linear path for me, but it is the very foundation of everything I’ve built. Navigating depression and anxiety while building a business requires a level of resilience that I didn’t always know I had, but it’s something I work on every single day. I didn’t get here alone. Read More>>
baptiste Excelsia
One of the biggest challenges in my life has been mental health. I went through periods of depression, loneliness, and a deep lack of self-esteem and confidence. For a long time, I felt disconnected from myself and from the life I was living. The transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was a gradual process that took several years. Read More>>
Dor Almakias
When I was 26, back in 2020, I went through an incredibly difficult period after facing a medical issue. I had to leave my job, move back in with my parents, and focus entirely on healing. At the same time, COVID began, making everything even more challenging. Very quickly, I found myself dealing with panic attacks, sleepless nights, weight loss, and depression. Read More>>
Rylie Rodriguez
For me, it has been about learning how to move forward with self-compassion, even while carrying something heavy. Mental health challenges taught me to be more intentional about how I care for myself, and how I stay connected to what really matters to me. I learned that you don’t overcome fears by proving they’re not real, You overcome them by proving you can survive them. Read More>>
Amber Wahl
Mental health has been a significant part of my journey. I’ve experienced depression, postpartum depression, and the effects of abuse and childhood trauma. It hasn’t been an easy road. Becoming a mother was a turning point for me. When my daughter was born, I knew I wanted to heal, not just for myself, but for her. Read More>>
Avery Lynch
I struggle in my daily life with mental health issues, but one of my outlets has always been acting. When I was in Elementary School I was diagnosed with OCD and anxiety. Both often have me in my head. Too often have me spiraling. Acting grounds me. I think the best acting comes from a place of relaxation and joy. Read More>>
Emanuel Fichera
I overcame the challenges of mental health issues by focusing on small, concrete steps every day. I began by learning to recognize my limits and listen to the signals of my body and mind, without pushing myself beyond my capabilities. I sought professional support, undergoing therapy, and relying on trusted people with whom I could share my thoughts. Read More>>
Saturn Lane
To be truthful, when dealing with mental health issues, I think the first step is to know that these are conditions that last lifelong- the way that physical health issues like diabetes and asthma are. Read More>>