on the trail
STORY LIZA LONG | PHOTOS JIM PETERSON
aspire to inspire Three Former Mrs . Idaho Contestants Bring “ This Is My Brave ” to Boise
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What do people who live with mental illness look like ? Erin Lorensen , Jessica Wyman , and Kristen Johnson look like successful , attractive , busy women who found a common calling on the Mrs . Idaho pageant stage in 2015 and 2016 . Though they didn ’ t win the title , together , they formed a team , “ Aspire to Inspire ,” to continue to promote their platforms , including mental health awareness .
All three women live with mental health conditions . Lorenson , a nurse at Primary Health , was diagnosed with bipolar disorder , type 2 , shortly after nursing school . “ Stigma kept me from going to the doctor ,” Lorenson told me as we discussed the group ’ s inspiring new project , a Boise production of the highly acclaimed “ This Is My Brave ” show .
“ I was okay with people knowing I had depression because it ’ s more accepted by society . But I was terrified if people found out I had bipolar ,” she said .
In part , Lorensen blames the media ’ s stigmatizing portrayal of bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses . That ’ s part of the reason that “ This Is My Brave ” can be so powerful : By showcasing the talents and personal stories of real people who are living with mental illness , they help to break down negative stereotypes and build respect .
Johnson , a busy wife and mother , lives with depression and anxiety . She started therapy when she was just three years old . “ When I finally accepted my diagnosis , the whole world opened up for me ,” she said . “ People told me that I couldn ’ t succeed in life because of my illness , but they were wrong .”
Wyman , a self-described “ cycling fanatic ” who works full time at Rolling H Cycles in Nampa , was anxious and depressed as a child , even sometimes thinking about suicide . She and Lorenson have been friends since seventh grade . When Wyman ’ s childhood mental health problems resurfaced in adulthood , she reached out to Lorenson , who has been very public about her own struggles with bipolar disorder .
“ I ended up being diagnosed with bipolar on St . Patrick ’ s Day ,” Wyman said . “ I tell people that it truly was my lucky day because suddenly , my whole life made sense .”
All three women note that their openness about sharing their mental health challenges sometimes surprises people . “ When I tell people , they say , ‘ you ’ re the last person I would expect to be living with mental illness ,’” Johnson told me . “ We ’ ve all been successful as adults ; we just have extra challenges .”
The mission of This Is My Brave is to end the stigma of mental illness by sharing poetry , essays , and music in a live theater show in local communities across the United States . Co- founder and
GREENBELT MAGAZINE | JAN - FEB 2017