Whole-Person Wellness Blog: Spotlight on mental health

For this month’s Whole-Person Wellness Blog, we’re featuring staff stories related to mental health to show how prevalent it is to live with a mental health disorder. Tess Maher, a clinical administrative assistant, and Shannon Osmolia, a certified medical assistant, will share their brave and vulnerable journeys living with mental health disorders.

At my worst, I like to think I had everyone fooled. I was what I now jokingly call a “professional undercover drunk.” Not even my closest friends or partner knew how bad it had gotten. I’d start my mornings slow, keeping up the façade of being a functional adult. I even exaggerated how demanding my remote job was, just to sell the illusion I had it together. But once the house was empty, so was my restraint. My cup was full by noon, and I’d sober up just in time for 4 p.m. Cue the dinner wine – because that was socially acceptable.

I was stuck in a loop I couldn’t escape. Every night I’d look in the mirror and promise: last time, last day, last drink. Big shock – it never was. As the days went on, I grew sicker. My body became swollen, my motivation disappeared, and my mental health nosedived. I was scared of myself and dreaded seeing the girl in the mirror whom I no longer recognized.

But then, something life-altering happened. It was painful, unexpected, and sent me spiraling for four days. I woke up not knowing the day, but in that hazy moment, I made a vow: never again. I came clean to my family and friends, peeled off the mask, and asked for support. To their credit, they gave it, though they were shocked. The girl they went to concerts with, toasted over dinner with, laughed with, was secretly falling apart.

So, I started over. One day at a time.

I learned that time is everything – healing, sacred, and way too valuable to waste on anything that dulls your light or erases your personality. If you show up with good intentions and lead with empathy, the universe will meet you halfway. Some good karma is bound to come your way.

Recovery taught me that my resilience is unmatched. I’m stronger than I ever imagined, and I was the one driving now. Alcohol is no longer at the wheel – I am.

How do I stay on the right path?

I keep it simple. No potions or spells – just solid sleep, lots of water, and surrounding myself with people who actually like me sober. I’ve learned that “no” is a complete sentence, and I use it often. These days, I have real routines and real hobbies, and I romanticize the little things, like making tea in the morning or taking a walk without a destination. It turns out that peace and stability are wildly underrated.

Recovery isn’t just about not drinking – it’s about choosing not to run from yourself. Every day, I decide to stay, to face life, and to be honest, even when it’s hard.

And on the hardest days, I lean on a quote that’s carried me through 413 days of sobriety. Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “The strength of a person’s spirit would then be measured by how much ‘truth’ they could tolerate – or more precisely, to what extent they need to have it diluted, disguised, sweetened, muted, falsified.”

I don’t dilute the truth anymore. I live it.

Looking back, I can correlate these years and unexpected, family-related traumatic experiences to my diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and major depressive disorder. In dealing with this, I was a nervous wreck. I worried about everything. I had suicidal ideations and was withdrawn socially. I lost my faith. I could barely function. I started crying uncontrollably one day and realized I needed support. I didn’t have to hold it all together anymore. 

My coworkers were a huge help, getting me connected to psychiatry. I was prescribed medication and received help in getting a therapist. I finally felt heard. 

Most people struggling with a mental illness don’t expect family and friends to have all the answers. They just want someone to say, “It’s not your fault.” We want to know there are resources that can get us back to feeling like ourselves again. Sometimes just a listening ear is all we need. A little kindness and compassion go a long way. 

Working in the health care field, people often don’t know how to react to someone struggling. They may feel uncomfortable or not equipped with the tools to assist. We can decrease stigma by providing education and sharing our stories. 

I learned through therapy that trauma alters your path, but that the new path may be better than anything else before. 

I have also learned I am valuable. I am worth it. I am fearless. I now embrace change because it can bring unexpected joy, happiness, and cherished moments. I look forward to the future, and know I can handle any changes or challenges that come my way.”

Did you know? 

The Wright Center provides free Mental Health First Aid training for our staff and communities. Mental Health First Aid helps remove the fear and hesitation of starting conversations about mental health and substance use issues by improving your understanding of crisis signs and symptoms, and providing a practical action plan. It is often compared to CPR because it prepares participants to intervene in emergencies, such as during a panic attack or a substance use crisis. The day-long training will equip you with the skills needed to provide initial help and support to those who may be facing mental health or substance use challenges or crises in your professional and personal lives. 

To sign up for this free training, please register on the portal: https://portal.thewrightcenter.org/appEVA/indexTrain.asp 

You never know when you might need the tools and skills for yourself, a loved one, a colleague, or a patient. 

Thank you, 

Allison LaRussa, BA, CPS, RYT  

Associate Vice President of Health and Wellness