Hey there!

My name is Shoshana Mehler and I'm here to tell you a bit about myself.

On a circuitous journey to become a physician.

In the meantime…

Married my high-school sweetheart, had two babies, joined a nonprofit startup proactive suicide prevention organization called Hope For The Day, work part-time as a behavioral health counselor for patients with mood, anxiety disorders and eating disorders, develop mental health curriculum for a Holocaust awareness organization called Margaret’s Legacy, am in The Chicago School of Psychology Masters program for Industrial Organizational Psychology, and spend my spare time trying to convince people that the topic of mental health doesn’t need to be so cringey and taboo. My favorite hobbies are refinishing furniture, scrap-booking, and pretending I know how to be a photographer.  I am passionate about making a difference in the world and thrive off of doing my best to make the most of every moment.

I’ve always hated the idea of psychologists.

Everything about it sounded cringey to me… the vulnerability, the lack of control, opening up to a stranger with your most personal details. The first time I saw a psychologist was in college after I had a panic attack in front of my college guidance counselor about an interview coming up. I went reluctantly, confident that I would not get anything out of it. I was super resistant to everything we discussed and was actually quite obnoxious to the therapist... I probably made her cry that night. Did you think this story would end with me telling you that the experience opened my eyes, helped me with my anxiety, and changed my life forever? WRONG.

Even though I now work in the field of mental health and have learned a lot more since my initial “I hate psychologists” mindset, there is always a part of me that recognizes that the topic feels uncomfortable.

But that’s just it. The impact that the stigma has is not fair.

It’s not fair to the people who need to navigate mental health crises on their own, it’s not fair to the teen who has no one to turn to because they don’t have access to resources, it’s not fair to the next family who has to deal with the pain of a child who overdosed or committed suicide… all because the topic is “easier” when hidden.We have no choice, but to be proactive.

Every life matters.

We save lives by speaking up early, by being proactive, and by normalizing the topic of mental health.

Oh and meet my family...