Eileen Parent
This past year has been a wild ride! It’s been quite a journey helping launch a non-profit focused on mental wellness while also navigating my own inner world. Even with a lifetime of experience and exposure in this field, you’d think I’d have it all figured out, right? But it’s been more like trying to build something solid while standing in the middle of a storm. Still, these challenges are what light my fire. My own experiences have given me a deep understanding of what others go through, and that’s what drives me to make a difference.
I see a really unfair double standard. We all understand needing a day off when we have a cold or the flu, but when it comes to mental health, that understanding disappears. Why do we expect people to just “tough it out” when they’re struggling mentally? Maybe it’s because we can’t see mental health challenges the way we see a physical illness, or maybe it’s because there’s still so much stigma around it. Whatever the reason, it’s time to realize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Our minds need care and attention, just like our bodies.
Forty years of navigating this terrain has equipped me with a toolbox overflowing with strategies. I’ve learned to discern what works, what doesn’t, and how to set boundaries to protect my well-being. It’s not about getting rid of challenges altogether, but about learning to thrive despite them. Every day, I push myself, finding new ways to cope and sharing those tools with others.
This is my story: proof that we can live full and meaningful lives even when things are tough. It’s a passion that burns inside me, a drive to make real and lasting change. I’m committed to this path. I committed to creating accessible spaces for others to heal and connect.
This is about giving people the power to take control of their own mental health journeys. It’s about showing that not only can we survive, but we can grow and become stronger through these experiences. And this is just the beginning.
