05/16/2025
✨ The Heart Behind the Work ✨
We know that personal stories—especially those that touch on mental health journeys—can have a profound impact. To honor that work and the people behind it, we're launching a series featuring our dedicated workforce called “The Heart Behind the Work.” 💚
We’re proud to share the voices of our peers who bring passion, creativity, and purpose to everything they do! Read Brittany's story below! 👇
🌿 Tell us about your background, and how you came to be at SHW?
When I was a kid, I remember teachers often asking my classmates and I what we dreamed of being when we grew up. You’d hear the usual response, a police officer, doctor, teacher, firefighter, or, in my case, a veterinarian. As I began to struggle with my own mental health in early adolescence, my dream of becoming a veterinarian started to shift. At the time, I often felt emotionally invalidated and unseen, as many people around me didn’t recognize the signs or symptoms I was struggling with. I felt lost, hopeless, and as though there was no way out, no light at the end of the tunnel. These feelings of being overlooked and misunderstood led me to a deeper desire to create the kind of understanding and support for others that I wish I had received. Having been in those depths myself, I know what it's like to feel as though there is no way forward. It’s that knowledge that drives me to help others who find themselves in similar places.
I’ve always identified as an empathetic person, someone who naturally connects with and supports others. Helping people has always given me a deep sense of purpose. After high school, I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Community Psychology at the University of Michigan–Flint. Although I was passionate about my studies, life led me down a different path, and I spent nearly eight years in management with a large retail company.
During my retail career, I seized every opportunity to stay connected to the community. One of the most impactful experiences was volunteering at the 'Shop with a Hero' event, which paired local youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with first responders. The goal was to foster positive relationships, and being part of that initiative reminded me of the kind of work I truly wanted to do. It was then that I realized retail was no longer fulfilling me; it wasn’t ‘filling my cup.’ That experience sparked something inside me, making me realize I needed to pursue a path that truly aligned with my passion for helping others.
In June 2022, I organized a Mental Health Awareness Month event for my retail team. Wanting to ensure we had quality resources, I reached out to the Public Relations and Prevention Specialist at Community Mental Health, who helped provide materials for the resource table. After the event, I expressed interest in future opportunities, and she encouraged me to apply for the Youth Intervention Specialist position, offering to be a reference. I applied in July 2022, started in August, and haven’t looked back since.
🌿 How has being open about mental health impacted you?
Being open about my mental health has been one of the most empowering and transformative choices I’ve made. For a long time, I kept my struggles to myself, worried about being judged or misunderstood. But as I began to speak openly, first with close friends, then with a professional, and eventually more publicly, I started to notice a shift. I felt lighter, more authentic, and more connected to others. This shift is something I’ve come to recognize more recently, but it’s been incredibly freeing.
Being open about my mental health also changed the way I view vulnerability. I used to see it as a weakness, not in others, but in myself. Like many of us, I was often my own worst critic, fearing that showing vulnerability would expose me as flawed or incapable. But over time, I’ve come to recognize it as a strength, even a form of bravery. Sharing my story has not only helped me heal, but it has also opened doors for deeper conversations. It’s helped me build better, healthier friendships based on honesty, support, and mutual understanding. I’ve found that being open about my journey often encourages others to share their own stories, and that connection can be incredibly powerful.
Talking about mental health openly plays an important role in challenging the stigma that still exists. Each time I share my experiences, whether in casual conversation or in a professional setting, I’m reminded of the power of vulnerability. It helps normalize these conversations and reassures others that they don’t have to hide what they’re going through.
Professionally, being transparent about my own journey strengthens my ability to serve others. It allows me to show up with empathy and compassion, not just from a clinical perspective, but through the lens of lived experience. I believe this helps foster genuine trust with the youth and families I work with, because they can feel that my understanding comes from a real place, a place of having been there, of knowing what it’s like to struggle, and of deeply wanting to walk alongside them as they find their way forward.
🌿 How can communities come together to break the stigma of mental health conditions?
Breaking the stigma around mental health starts at both the community and individual level. As a community, we can make progress by normalizing open conversations about mental health, in schools, workplaces, community centers, healthcare settings, families, and even cultural or faith-based spaces. The more we talk about it, the more we create safe spaces where people feel seen and supported, rather than judged, ashamed, isolated, or silenced. It starts with small, everyday actions, like showing up, listening without judgment, and reminding someone they’re not alone. Creating safe spaces also means validating others’ experiences, speaking up when mental health is stigmatized, and advocating for open, honest conversations wherever we are. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, advocating for mental health resources, or creating space for someone to feel heard, every action helps break the silence.
Real change starts with individual awareness. We each have a personal responsibility to examine our own beliefs and biases. Sometimes, without realizing it, we contribute to stigma. We do this through the language we use, the assumptions we make, or the ways we view those who are struggling. One moment that shifted my own perspective was when I volunteered at a local warming center for individuals experiencing homelessness. Connecting with people on a personal level reminded me of something simple but profound: they are human beings, just like anyone else. No one deserves to suffer, and everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and access to basic human rights. Breaking the stigma means being mindful of our own lens, holding ourselves accountable, and asking, 'am I contributing to the problem in small ways?'—and then being willing to grow.
Community events, educational campaigns, and visible support from leaders and organizations all play a role, but none of it will stick unless we’re each doing the work. It takes both systemic and personal change to truly shift how mental health is viewed and valued in our communities. Change begins with awareness, grows through empathy, and is sustained by collective action.
🌿 What’s one practice or habit that has had a positive impact on your mental well-being?
One of the most positive habits I’ve developed for my mental well-being is continuing to go to therapy. Therapy has helped me not only process past experiences but also build tools for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional triggers. Through this work, I’ve become more aware of what some of my triggers are and how they tend to show up in my body, whether it’s tension, restlessness, fatigue or brain fog. That body awareness has been a game changer in helping me respond more mindfully instead of reacting impulsively. Another practice that’s been especially healing for me is using art as a coping tool. There are times when I struggle to find the right words to express what I’m feeling, and art gives me a different language to work with. Whether it’s painting, drawing, or journaling creatively, it allows me to process emotions in a way that feels safe and authentic. It’s become an important outlet for expressing thoughts and feelings that might otherwise stay bottled up. These practices—therapy, body awareness, and creative expression, have all played a key role in helping me care for my mental health and continue showing up, both personally and professionally.
🌿 What advice would you give to someone just beginning their mental health journey?
If you’re just beginning your mental health journey, or even just thinking about taking that first step, my biggest piece of advice is: be gentle with yourself. Healing is not a straight line, and it’s okay if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain at first. Progress can be slow, and some days will feel harder than others, but every step you take toward understanding yourself is a step toward strength and resilience.
To anyone hesitant about reaching out for help, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for support. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re human. In fact, seeking help is one of the bravest things you can do. I’ve been there myself, unsure of what therapy would look like or if anyone would understand what I was feeling. However, opening up was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my well-being.
I’ve been in therapy for over five years now, and earlier this year, I entered a partial hospitalization program when I realized I needed a higher level of support. At first, I felt ashamed, especially being someone who works in the mental health field. I had thoughts like, ‘I should be better by now’ or ‘I should be able to handle this on my own.’ But the truth is, no one is invincible. That experience challenged my own internalized stigma and reminded me that prioritizing your mental health is never something to be ashamed of; it’s something to be proud of. Seeking help doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re choosing to keep going.
You don’t have to have all the answers before getting help. You don’t even need to have the right words. Just showing up, however you can, is enough. Whether it's talking to a trusted friend, making a therapy appointment, or simply acknowledging that you're struggling, that first act of courage can change everything. You are worthy of support, of healing, and of peace—even if you don’t fully believe that yet.
