Derian's Story - Depression & Self-Harm

"The biggest thing with mental illness or mental health problems is not just getting rid of that illness. It's living well, and creating your life worth living—and I feel writing does that for me." - Author Tanya Peterson

Produced By:

Derek Maiolo
Christopher Piepgrass @CMPiepgrass

Talia Berniker @tallapalooza

After years of struggling with self-harm and thoughts of suicide, Derian funneled her emotions into writing, and sought support from those close to her. Today she no longer self-harms, and continues to use a journal as an outlet for her thoughts and feelings.

 

Produced By:

Katrina Cantwell

Brittany Norton

Kate experienced her first major depressive episode in high school, with episodes of depression, anxiety, and insomnia following her into college. Discovering photography gave Kate a source of motivation and a tool to "retrain" her brain to think positively.

Produced By:

Matt Palma @themattpalma64

Srushti Kamat @srushtikamat

Lea's Story - Panic Attacks

Courtney's Story - Anxiety

Life changed in 2014 when Lea, a college senior and pro swimmer, was sexually assaulted. After the assault, therapy wasn't enough. She soon began having seizures and panic attacks. Then, someone new walked into her life, and everything changed.

Produced By:

Spencer Hurbis
Alia Burck

Ryan Peasley

Courtney first butted heads with anxiety as a sophomore in high school. When things didn't get better in college, she joined a women's group, started journaling and began practicing meditation.

Produced By:

Matt Palma
Paige Harkless

Lizbeth Silva-Tover