Hi, Dan Wilson, President of the Rhys Above Board of Directors. As someone who has battled since middle school some form of anxiety and or depression, I know how lonely it can feel when things seem most bleak. While I consider myself to be an incredibly personable and most often a well-adjusted and happy person, I still find myself in periods of sadness and anxiety.
When I was younger, I got in some trouble that really exacerbated that sadness and anxiety. My mother learned from her MD father, as a teen, that mental health practitioners were quacks and that anyone has the ability to pull themselves out of depressive times. Needless to say, that was bullshit, but it was what she believed then and because of that I wasn’t allowed to seek help for my sadness.
Over the course of my childhood and into adulthood, I learned how to cope with many of the issues that affect me; however, as my mental health became more erratic I knew I needed to seek professional help. As an adult, I have sought help from others and it has greatly impacted my ability to get by.
I sit as President of the Board of Directors of Rhy’s Above because I know the pain and loneliness that one can feel, battling depression and anxiety and never want a child - or another adult for that matter - to feel alone and have to suffer through pain silently.
Mental health issues are real and for many of us, can't be addressed or even solved without the aid of medication or greater support systems. I am committed to helping people see that being sad is ok and that there is no shame in asking for help. No one should feel alone in this battle, especially not our children.