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In her presentation, ?The Hand That I Was Dealt?, she speaks candidly about her mental health journey, beginning in 4th grade when she realized that she wasn?t like most of the other kids in school, and that they noticed too, bullying her for years. A gradual buildup of anger led to her act out, until she was kicked out of a series of schools for her behavioral problems. Still, she kept her feelings inside, never revealing her fears and anxieties to her mother or school officials, keeping her increasingly destructive thoughts inside. When her mother became ill, Dan?e turned to alcohol and drugs to diminish the feelings of helplessness and anger that overtook her, escalating to harder substances. A slide down to the depths brought her to the realization that she needed to make a change or die, so she reached out for help and entered treatment. Today, Dan?e has graduated college and is pursuing her graduate degree in social work. Her gratitude for where she is now compels her to give back, and to let others know that it?s not how you perceive your situation?it?s what you do to turn it around. She also reminds us that if we?re going to help others, we have to care for ourselves first

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Bel Kelly-Russo, iakellyrusso@email.wm.edu