Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Month, an observance that aims to bring to light the daily struggles of more than 43 million people in the U.S. One of those is Paul Rubi, a peer support specialist at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H).

For decades, Paul Rubi struggled with addiction and undiagnosed mental illness. It wasn’t until 2003 that he was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression and PTSD. Paul struggled to find balance in his life, and it wasn’t until he began utilizing The Link and In-Home treatment programs at SB&H that he was able to turn it all around. Today, Paul works for the same nonprofit that he says, “never gave up on him.” Through his job at SB&H, he is able to earn pay to supplement his disability income, allowing him to lead “a purposeful, productive and dignified life.”

I spoke with Paul and Paul Buttermore, a program director at Southwest about how Paul's success story can give hope to others. And of course we remind people that if you need help or want to find out more about the program you can call 602-222-9444, and if you feel you are in crisis you can always call 1-800-SUICIDE for help.

Here is the interview ...