“I still remember the four babies I lost AND I cherish the fact that I have two beautiful, healthy, happy children."

Finally talking publicly about a topic that always felt like a forbidden conversation: my own mental health experience.

Melissa will share, for the first time, how her struggle with clinical depression led her to seek in-patient treatment and therapy.

A life of advocacy built on difficulty in elementary school, an alcoholic father and a violent rape.

How adverse childhood experiences and a passionate interest in people’s stories led to a lifetime of advocacy.

Each of us have had traumatic episodes in our past that helped inspire and shape our commitment to advocacy.

People who have experienced trauma will recognize the role these steps play in healing. Others will see fundamental truths that help anyone.

Healing from trauma can be a long process. For me my healing journey is never ending. I work daily to find the joy in everything.

We’ll talk about healing from trauma on both a personal and a collective level.