Mental health is often a topic that families struggle to talk about. We may know about physical illnesses that run in our families heart disease, diabetes, cancer but we don’t always discuss depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health challenges with the same openness.
Recently, I found myself reflecting on my father’s story and how family experiences can shape the way we understand mental health.
My father suffered a heart attack at a relatively young age. He was a heavy smoker, and his heart health was something that impacted our family. After that heart attack, he told me he had taken lithium, explaining that it was for his heart. Looking back, I now understand that lithium is not typically used as a heart medication. It is most commonly associated with mood stabilization, particularly for conditions such as bipolar disorder and certain forms of treatment-resistant depression.
The truth is, I may never know exactly why he took it. Medical records are not always available, and sometimes family members remember medications or diagnoses differently than they were documented. But the conversation made me think about something deeper: the connection between trauma, mental health, and family history.
My father experienced a devastating loss when his brother was shot and killed by his wife. They were extremely close, and a tragedy like that can leave a lasting emotional impact. Severe trauma and grief can contribute to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health struggles. While we cannot assume exactly what my father experienced or what treatment he needed, it reminds me that emotional wounds can be just as real as physical ones.
That realization has also caused me to reflect on my own mental health journey.
I have been working through depression and other challenges, and I am now beginning a new chapter by starting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy. TMS is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. For many people who have not found enough relief through medication alone, TMS can provide another option.
Starting TMS is not about giving up on previous treatments it is about continuing to search for what works. Mental health treatment is often a process of finding the right combination of therapies, medications, lifestyle changes, support systems, and self-awareness.
As I begin this journey, I want to share a few lessons I have learned:
1. Family history matters.
Understanding the experiences, struggles, and challenges within our families can provide important context for our own health journeys.
2. Trauma can affect generations.
Painful events do not always end when the event is over. Grief, loss, and trauma can influence how people cope, communicate, and seek help.
3. Mental health deserves the same attention as physical health.
We would never tell someone with heart disease to simply “push through it.” Depression and other mental health conditions deserve compassion, treatment, and support.
4. Healing is not always a straight line.
Sometimes progress comes from trying something new, adjusting course, and being willing to ask for help.
At Health to Wealth Ventures, the goal has always been to look at the complete picture of health, mind, body, finances, safety, and quality of life. True wealth is not just measured by what we own; it is also measured by our ability to enjoy life, maintain relationships, and take care of ourselves.
My TMS journey is just beginning. I don’t know exactly what the outcome will be, but I do know this: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
By sharing our stories, we can help remove the stigma around mental health and remind others that they are not alone in their journey toward healing.
Health is the foundation. Wealth is the opportunity. Together, they create a life worth living.
Health to Wealth Ventures 