This Is My Brave New Hampshire 2021

MEET THE STORYTELLERS THIS IS MY BRAVE NEW HAMPSHIRE AIRS ON MAY 27, 2021 REGISTER HERE Presented by:

ABOUT

FROM THE PRODUCERS

RIVERBEND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH

As we enter into our third annual production of This Is My Brave

OUR MISSION IS TO CARE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

A NOTE

– New Hampshire, and second year in a virtual format due to COVID-19, we can’t help but be continually impressed by the dedication and resiliency of our Storytellers. For many, this pandemic has completely exhausted our mental health

T H E P RO D U C E R S

We are a private, nonprofit providing comprehensive behavioral health and addiction treatment services for children, adolescents, adults, and families in central New Hampshire. Evidence-based models of treatment guide all our work and we strongly believe in the power of resilience and recovery. We provide educational programming to increase behavioral health literacy and we strongly support efforts to reduce stigma.

and abilities to cope, causing more people to seek out mental health services for the first time. Our group of Storytellers are not excluded from the mental toll that this pandemic has taken. Still, they have chosen to bravely share their stories of mental health recovery with you to let you know

We are still living in uncertain times and dealing with long lists of unknowns right now – including when things will “go back to normal” and what “normal” looks like. The one thing we are certain of is that more individuals will continue to seek mental health and substance use disorder services in the months ahead as a direct result of the devastating effects of COVID-19.

that yes, it does get better! We hope you’ll take their messages to heart, share in their triumphs, and feel inspired to seek help if that’s something you need. Remember, everyone has mental health and you are NOT alone! ENJOY THE SHOW!

Your gift will minimize the impact of this virus on the behavioral health needs of our neighbors, friends, and families. Together we will ensure that there is access to treatment for all who need us.

Visit us at https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/donate/ to support our work today 2

OR CLICK

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THE

N.H. CAST THE

SHOW A presentation of essays performed by individuals living with a mental health condition. This is My Brave New Hampshire, will be airing May 27, 2021 at 7pm.

THIS IS OUR BRAVE CAST: in order of appearance

Laura Mignery Grant Ohlund Cara Haley

“To Love and Die by Craigslist” “But God...”

“Beautiful Trauma”

Todd Donovan

“Mental Health Mayday”

Deborah Rand

“My Illusion”

Ms. Renda Japhet Chalker Sonya Lyn

“A Piece of Me” “Broken Pieces with Sunlight In Between” “Power to Heal”

LAURA MIGNERY Laura Mignery is a mental health advocate, speaker, and certified peer specialist working to support young adults and individuals living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. She and her husband live just outside of Boston and are obsessed with their cats, Chowder and Zoya. Laura loves swimming, embroidery, and hosting outdoor movies in her yard. An unabashed lover of pop music, Laura can frequently be found driving around blasting Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, and Britney Spears.

She is currently preparing to attend nursing school with the intention of moving on to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. You can follow Laura on Instagram and Twitter: @greenlittlebug.

“I HOPE THAT AFTER SEEING THE SHOW THE AUDIENCE IS ABLE TO SEE THAT WE’RE NOT BROKEN PEOPLE…WE’RE VERY RESILIENT AND STRONG.”

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GRANT OHLUND

CARA HALEY

Grant Ohlund has been the admissions coordinator for the past four years at Teen Challenge. After struggling with addiction for 25 years he found recovery there. He is looking forward to a new endeavor doing outreach on the streets of Concord where he spent years homeless. He enjoys time with family and the outdoors.

At 34 years old, Cara has learned to always be TRUE to herself, her ideas, and to speak her mind. Cara always puts energy into caring for those she loves, including her cat Emma. Her message:

“I SHARE MY TESTIMONIES OFTEN TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE DO RECOVER.”

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Remember to always have empathy!

“I HOPE THE AUDIENCE GETS AWARENESS. I HOPE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED AND FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES” 7

TODD DONOVAN

DEBORAH RAND

Todd Donovan is a Lieutenant/ Paramedic with the Derry Fire Department in Derry, New Hampshire.

He is also on the executive board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH) and the speaker’s bureau for NAMI NH called “In Our Own Voice”. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Leadership. In his free time, Todd hikes into remote trout ponds to fly fish for trophy fish.

Deborah is someone that has always been passionate about helping children and families find peace and a sense of happiness in their lives. She is a mental health clinician working with children and families for the last year and a half at Riverbend Counseling, after 30 years of working in child protection in Vermont and New Hampshire. She is also an avid painter, mostly with acrylics; which can be seen throughout the Franklin Riverbend office. Any additional free time is spent with her husband of several decades, four children and six grandchildren.

“I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT TREATMENT DOES WORK. I AM LIVING PROOF THAT TREATMENT WORKS.”

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“MY HOPE IS THAT I HAVE GIVEN THEM SOME SORT OF BABY STEPS TO START MOVING FORWARD IN A DIRECTION TO GIVE THEM STRENGTH.”

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MS. RENDA

JAPHET CHALKER

Ms. Renda Brooks is a Visual Artist, Single mother of 4 teenagers, Backyard farmer, and Creative Arts Director at Austin17House. Renda continues to battle with Depression and Suicidal Ideations for the majority of her life.

Her mental illness has affected every aspect of her life; to the point where every part of life is to help support her mental health. Renda has dogs to help her work, help the anxiety and calm the panic attacks down. When she was younger, there would be moments that she would think, “I won’t be like this forever” then she continued to get older and would still spiral. The 4th time she was hospitalized as an adult was when Renda really felt that she needed to share her story – somehow –someway. If sharing her personal experiences could help someone else, then her battle daily will not be in vain.

Japhet is a podcaster and poet who recently self-published his first book - “catalyzed: poetry as a result of pain” available at jcxpoetry.com. He currently hosts a weekly podcast discussing thought provoking questions with strangers called “i don’t know you but…” available on all major podcasting platforms. When he is not working on one of his many passion projects he enjoys renovating his home, playing video games with friends and reading.

“YOU’RE NOT ALONE AND THERE IS A SUPPORT SYSTEM OUT THERE FOR YOU AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM IS TO START TO TALK.”

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H OW TO

P r ote c t Your M e nta l He a lth SONYA LYN

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Sonya Lyn is a Master Healing Practitioner and Transformation Life Coach, speaker, and writer. She is the creator of Living Unbroken® a Healing and Trauma based personal development process. She loves traveling, exploring National Parks, trail running and yoga. To discover more about Sonya’s extensive services for teenagers, men, and women, or to access her Power to Heal podcast or blog, or to be notified when her book Getting Off Your Knees is complete, please visit www.SonyaLyn.com. She would also love to have you join her private FB group @LivingUnbroken.

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“I HOPE THE AUDIENCE TAKES AWAY FROM THIS SHOW HOPE AND INSPIRATION, CONNECTION AND JUST THAT THEY’RE POWERFUL. THERE IS LIGHT AFTER THE DARK.”

p r o te c t t h e v u lne r a b l e

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s l e e p we l l think positive Visit us at https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/donate/ to support

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our work today

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ABOUT

THIS IS MY BRAVE This Is My Brave brings stories of mental illness and addiction out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Historic Phenix Hall, Downtown Concord, NH

THANK YOU

TO OUR SPONSORS Thank You to our local sponsor, Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

Thank you to Mark Ciborowski for donating the use of historic Phenix Hall for filming.

Thank you also to Digital Purpose, Co. and Captain Artistries.

NATIONAL THIS IS MY BRAVE SPONSORS:

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After the success of the debut show in 2014, Jennifer and Anne Marie (the show’s co-founders) began receiving interest from individuals in other cities to bring the show to their community. This Is My Brave, Inc was formed as a 501c3 and the organization began to expand to new cities through the support of volunteers willing to donate their time and expertise to coordinate shows.

Since 2014, This Is My Brave has produced over 65 unique shows in cities across the United States featuring nearly 800 storytellers sharing true, personal stories on overcoming depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, OCD, postpartum depression, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder,

trichotillomania, anorexia, bulimia, sexual assault, alcoholism, substance use disorder and more.

Jennifer and Anne Marie may have created the space for these brave stories to exist, but This Is My Brave wouldn’t be the incredible community it is if it weren’t for all the amazing people who have bravely come forward to share their stories. “It’s my opinion that we won’t be able to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction until we put our names and faces on our stories,” says Jennifer.

This Is My Brave is doing this one person and one story at a time.

Learn More at thisismybrave.org

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PO BOX 2032, CONCORD, NH 03302-2032