Together, we’re supporting
mental health and recovery
on Long Island

“The first time I ever used, I was 12 years old and that lasted 23 years until I walked through the doors of a treatment center where I now work. If someone had come to me 10 years ago and said, you’re going to be sharing a message of hope with thousands of people, I would have said, you have the wrong girl. This girl plans on dying from a drug overdose.”

“As someone who has struggled with my own mental health issues, the question I had to ask myself was, why am I trying to handle this on my own? Right now help is available to you. And not just help — hope!”

“I have been sober for almost four years… I have days that are a struggle, but because I’ve gotten help, those days are absolutely manageable. I have the tools to know that those days aren’t going to last forever. Reach out. Get help.” 

“I’ve struggled with bipolar disorder for my entire adult life during and after the years I competed at the top level of the women’s professional tennis tour. I reached number five in the world with Olympic medals even though bipolar disorder caused me to be stricken with severe depression.”

“Today, 1 in 5 people on Long Island struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction and more. As someone who’s struggled with addiction and depression myself, I know how much it means to get help. And I still struggle from time to time, especially when I feel isolated. But as I found help I found practices to incorporate into my life.”

“As someone who has struggled with depression, anxiety and addiction plus an eating disorder I know how much it means to get help. I still struggle when I’m hungry, tired and don’t know how to solve my problems.”

“I knew I was drinking too much but I couldn’t let go. I tried making rules only to break them. I didn’t think it was possible to be completely free of the desire for wine but I am completely free. You don’t have to hit rock bottom. All you need to do is ask yourself, is alcohol taking more than it’s giving.”

“I did not start out being a champion. I had a very poor, traumatic childhood. I lost my husband and my first child. I was suffering from severe depression and wanted to commit suicide. One day I woke up and said, ‘I have to get off this couch.’ I started walking just to save my own life and joined a gym.”

“As someone living with bipolar disorder, I know firsthand how invaluable a safe support system can be to a mental health journey, and I know firsthand that it is never too late to start healing… Being brave enough to ask for help and seek treatment is the first step to becoming your very own superhero.”

“I started stealing swigs of hard alcohol and beer when I was five or six. I started smoking weed at 12 and then drinking for real in high school. I started doing pills and cocaine… I loved it all. It was bad. I kept getting arrested. I wanted to get sober. I didn’t know how. I started going to AA meetings… It saved my life for sure… If I can do it, you can do it.”

“One of the first things I learned was that I had to chase my recovery with the same commitment and dedication that I chased the demons that were taking me down. That’s probably the secret to my 35 years in recovery. Remember, we can and do recover.”

“As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I know how challenging it can be to find a safe support system. But, it’s never too late to start healing. Being brave enough to ask for help and to get treatment is the first step to becoming your very own superhero.”