Jen Gibas
Jen shares her journey to a bipolar disorder diagnosis, encouraging others to seek support and advocate for their mental health.
View Jen's Story
iMatter Anti-Stigma Campaign Stories
The iMatter Anti-Stigma Campaign aims to decrease stigmas and open up the conversation that everyone deals with mental health from a variety of different perspectives regardless of demographics, environments or experiences.
In the following stories, you’ll hear from people from all walks of life. Their stories might sound like yours or someone you know. Resoundingly, you’ll also hear messages of hope.
We hope that the iMatter Anti-Stigma Campaign begins to eliminate the stigma around mental health, and beyond that, show you the strength of the human spirit, the power in community and connection and that you are not alone. For those interested in sharing their personal story around mental health, please contact Dallas Rau using the following email address: rau1d@cmich.edu or click the following link to fill out the iMatter Interest Form.
If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988, call the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text BELONG to 741741.
iMatter Videos and Articles
Shawna Ruple
Shawna describes going through medical school and dealing with burnout, high expectations, overwhelm, and suicidal thoughts.
View Shawna's Story
Stacey Gannon
Stacey shares her experience supporting a family member with mental health challenges and helping others along the way.
View Stacey's Story
Bre Sklar
Bre shares her journey with Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and other types of trauma and the path to getting help.
View Bre's Story
Sara Pasterz
Sara discusses how there are many times she could have faltered and done some negative things. She explains how important it is to end the stigma.
View Sara's Story
Badger Beall
Badger talks about learning to adapt after an ADHD diagnosis later in life and his experience with depression before finding out how to cope.
View Badger's Story
Megan Farison
Hear how Megan learned that she needed professional help and to focus on her mental health.
View Megan's Story
Gina Hunyh
Gina tells the story of losing her best friend at an early age, and how as a child, you don’t really learn how to deal with grief and loss.
View Gina's Story
Ryan Griffus
Hear Ryan's inspiring story of how he overcame childhood trauma, neglect, and homelessness.
View Ryan's Story
Jacqueline Kareus
Jacqueline Kareus shares her journey with mental health as a clinician and the tools she uses to maintain her wellbeing.
View Jacqueline's Story
Jeff Larsen
After a few career changes, dealing with self-doubt and thoughts of self-harm, Jeff was able to get help and solidify his purpose through therapy.
View Jeff's Story
Brynna Foster
Brynna shares her experience navigating anxiety and depression for several years and how therapy helped her and her loved ones understand her needs.
View Brynna's Story
Andrew Dalton
The pandemic led Andrew to change his routines to support his mental health and commit to ongoing therapy.
View Andrew's Story
Hannah Maine
After being diagnosed with anxiety and depression, Hannah moved forward and now champions mental health awareness and hosts Totally Mental.
View Hannah's Story
Dr. Ashley Ghose
After burnout, anxiety and learning she has high-functioning dyslexia, Dr. Ghose shares how therapy and coaching helped her overcome life’s roadblocks
View Dr. Ghose's Story
Matt Felan
Matt shares his story about supporting a family member with mental health concerns and being proud of their ability to ask for help.
View Matt's Story
Monica Burton
Monica shares her experience with PTSD and MST after military service and what inspired her to pursue a career in mental health.
View Monica's Story
Rob Vallentine
Rob shares how therapy helped him heal from childhood sexual abuse and why speaking openly can help break stigma.
View Rob's Story
Courtney Soule
Courtney shares how a holistic approach to brain and body health helps her manage multiple sclerosis.
View Courtney's Story
Isaac Dieterman
A story of overcoming substance use, Isaac Dieterman is now a counselor helping others on their path to a better life.
View Isaac's Story
Mark Bassett
Mark shares how therapy has played an important role in overcoming negative thoughts and self-talk.
View Mark's Story
Malenda Harp
Malenda's story shows how the Make the Right Call campaign connects people to support through 211 Northeast Michigan.
View Malenda's Story
Carole Evans
Carole describes how she doesn't walk around feeling like an empty shell anymore. Now, she love to be in a room of people, and is always dancing.
View Carole's Story
Julia Kepler
After Youth Mental Health First Aid training, Julia used the skills from the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership to help save a life.
View Julia's Story
Joe Volk
Joe Volk shares his story about how his recovery and gratitude every day, has had a lot to do with his mental health.
View Joe's Story
Julia Kepler
When a young person turned to her for help, Julia used Youth Mental Health First Aid skills, showing why self-care matters when supporting others.
View Julia's Story
Rebecca Hamilton
Rebecca shares how inpatient hospitalization helped her feel heard and cared for. With caregiver support and faith, she began healing.
View Rebecca's Story
Christine Perry
Christine shares how faith and hope have shaped her journey with bipolar disorder and how she continues to learn, grow, and choose life each day.
View Christine's Story
Jimmy Greene
Jimmy shares his story of dealing with a troubled environment growing up as a child, how he's worked to overcome it by going to therapy.
View Jimmy's Story
Nicole Ford
Midland Police Chief Nicole shares how suicide impacted her family and reminds us that people who need help may not always look like it.
View Nicole's Story
Margaret Felan
Margaret shares her mental health journey, highlighting support networks, breaking stigma, and the importance of asking for help.
View Margaret's Story
Gina Anayana
Gina shares her story with depression following some major life changes, motherhood and how she was able to care for herself through a tough time.
View Gina's Story
Sarah Brooks
Sarah shares her story of anxiety, the importance of finding the right tools for you and the importance of reaching out.
View Sarah's Story
Andrea Krotzer-Burton
Andrea shares her experience with anxiety and depression, later addressing stigma and now working in mental health to help break misconceptions.
View Andrea's Story
Anonymous Parent
Getting my child help: An anonymous first-hand account of navigating the mental health system. Read more below.
View iMatter Story
Seth Perigo
Seth shares how therapy has become a regular part of his routine and the benefits he’s experienced in supporting his mental health.
View Seth's Story
J.W. Fisher
J.W. discusses the unique position employers are in to address mental health and shares why he implemented a workplace mental health program.
View J.W.'s Story
Aimee Allen
After a significant loss in high school, Aimee started struggling with mental health, finding her way back through therapy, self-care and self-esteem.
View Aimee's Story
Sue Smith
Sue shares her experience with bipolar disorder and how starting a support group helped her build community and connect others.
View Sue's Story
Hannah Maine (Story)
Diagnosing her anxiety and depression helped Hannah move forward. She now advocates for mental health and hosts Totally Mental.
View Hannah's Story
Beth Sorenson Prince
Beth shares her experience with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), offering hope to other mothers.
View Beth's Story
Contact Us
Dallas Rau, Director of Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Initiative at CMU Health
Email: rau1d@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-746-7610