Personal Stories Related Content

Video: Patient Story – Wayne

Wayne is a former patient at McLean’s LEADER program which offers substance addiction and trauma care for first responders. Journey to Recovery To help manage the difficulty of his job as a lieutenant at a correctional facility, Wayne would drink for 4-5 hours a day. Drinking wasn’t a pleasure for...

Deconstructing Stigma: Revealing Leads to Healing

The following story features Brandon , a NFL wide receiver, co-founder of PROJECT 375, and participant in our Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life mental health public awareness campaign. Told through the eyes of its participants, this campaign boldly challenges the...

Video: Deconstructing Stigma – Chris

As a participant in McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign, Chris tells his story of his struggle with addiction and how getting the help he needed inspired him to fight stigma by talking openly about his recovery. “I work in the world of sports, where any perceived weakness is judged negatively...

Video: Deconstructing Stigma – Leslie

Leslie Chihuly, CEO of Chihuly Studios, wife of acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly, and a volunteer for McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign, talks openly about her personal experience with mental illness. Read more about Leslie’s story . About Deconstructing Stigma Deconstructing Stigma: Changing...

Video: Deconstructing Stigma – Sean

As a participant in McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign, Sean tells his story of his struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder and how getting the help he needed changed his life. Read more about Sean’s story . About Deconstructing Stigma Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes About Mental...

Deconstructing Stigma: Remember to Live in the Moment

The following story features Meghan, a 27-year-old nanny in Massachusetts and participant in our Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life mental health public awareness campaign. Learn more at DeconstructingStigma.org . A trip to the local market could send Meg into a severe...

A Historical Parting: McLean’s Registrar and Historian Retires

On June 30, 2020, Terry Bragg, MSLS, MA, will retire from his position as the director of McLean’s Registrar and Professional Staff Office (RPSO), a position he has held for more than 35 years. Bragg began working at McLean Hospital in November 1981, when he was recruited to establish an...

Podcast: The Sum of Her Parts With Olga Trujillo

In this episode, Trevor talks with internationally renowned speaker and author Olga Trujillo. Olga bravely shares her story, including the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse she endured as a child, significant events which led to the development of dissociative identity disorder. Olga explains...

Podcast: Riding to Remember With Mac Dorris

Trevor discusses the negative ways in which mental illness is portrayed by the media before he is joined by Mac Dorris, founder of the Ride for Mental Health . Mac started this charity bike ride in honor of his son, Eric, who struggled with borderline personality disorder and depression. Eric passed...

Deconstructing Stigma: Finding Strength Through Writing

The following story features Vaidehi , a participant in our Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes About Mental Health public awareness campaign. Told through the eyes of its participants, this campaign boldly challenges the misconceptions of what those with mental illness look like and is...

Deconstructing Stigma: I’m a Survivor

The following story features Robert , a participant in our Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life mental health public awareness campaign. Told through the eyes of its participants, this campaign boldly challenges the misconceptions of what those with mental illness look like...

Deconstructing Stigma: Therapy Truly Saved My Life

The following story features Ivy , a participant in our Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life mental health public awareness campaign. Told through the eyes of its participants, this campaign boldly challenges the misconceptions of what those with mental illness look like and...

Video: Patient Story – Aaron

Watch Aaron’s story on how he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and taught the skills he needs to manage his mental illness.

Video: Patient Story – April

April’s mom recalls that it was sophomore year in college when “things started to fall apart.” By the time her parents arrived at school to take her to the emergency room, April was experiencing a severe first onset of psychosis.

Running Against Stigma, Not Away From It

On April 17, 2017, suicide survivor Ana Febres-Cordero and her father Rafael ran the Boston Marathon to support public awareness and outreach programs focused on eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Ana was inspired to partner with McLean Hospital to develop Deconstructing Stigma: Ana...

Paying It Forward

Ten years ago, then 27-year-old Mike Muccio thought he was having a heart attack or a stroke. His heart raced, he was dizzy, off-balance, and felt like he was dying—and it kept happening. With his parents at his side, Mike spent the next nine months in and out of physician’s offices with no concrete...

Brudnick Family Funds Adolescent Depression Research

Irving Brudnick’s struggle with chronic depression began in his late teens and, according to his widow, Betty, the disease troubled him for much of his adult life. A successful businessman, educator, and philanthropist, Brudnick was passionate about putting his time and charitable resources toward...