This journey and this website are dedicated to my Aunt Pamela Jean Welch, who passed away on April 13th, 2024. She wasn’t perfect, and we didn’t always see eye to eye, but when I needed her, she was there. She took me in when others wouldn’t, providing a safe place when my world was in chaos.

Despite her own struggles with addiction, my aunt always made sure I was cared for. Her strength was unmatched, and her heart even bigger. She had this rare ability to stand tall, take no nonsense, and still offer compassion and love to those who needed it. I admire her strength to this day, wishing I had even a fraction of it.

I watched her battle addiction and loneliness, just as I did. But she was always there for me. She put me in my place when I needed it, but she also made sure I never felt alone. Her love for my kids, even though she never met them, was fierce. I regret not having the chance to say goodbye the way I wanted to, but I know she knew how much she meant to me.

Addiction is a beast, but it doesn't define who we are. Mental health struggles don’t either. My aunt’s story reminds me every day that we are more than our battles. This space is here to honor her strength, her heart, and the love she gave.

Pam, this is for you. Thank you for everything. Your love drives me forward in every step of this journey.

My Journey

I'll start with being fully honest getting help for mental health and addiction was one of the scariest and most overwhelming things I’ve ever faced. It wasn’t just about finding the right resources; it was also the fear of how I’d be treated. Would I be judged? Would anyone really understand? The stigma made everything harder, and for a long time, I felt completely alone isolated in my pain and unsure of where to turn.

At the same time, my husband and I were in a really dark place. We were both struggling with addiction and mental health issues. It was a toxic situation intertwined with addiction, domestic violence, abuse, and so much anger on both sides. But underneath all of that, I knew deep down that wasn’t who we truly were. We had good hearts, but we were trapped in a cycle we didn’t know how to break. Our kids were caught in the middle, and they deserved so much more than the chaos we were putting them through.

There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it—when I felt like I was dying inside, sometimes even physically. But something inside me kept fighting. The quote, "Whether you think you can or can't, you're right," became my lifeline. It reminded me that even though I was hurting, I had the power to choose healing. That’s when I realized, if I could make that choice, I wanted to help others do the same. But not just that—I wanted to find a way to remove the shame, guilt, and stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and replace them with understanding, self-knowledge, and compassion. Because we are all going through more than we were ever meant to bear alone.

Then came 

My Mission

I built this website because I know how terrifying and overwhelming it can be to try to find the right help when you’re drowning in mental health struggles or addiction. I’ve been there, in those moments where you can barely breathe, and it feels like no one can understand the weight you're carrying. And it’s not about fancy advice or something you read in a textbook—it’s about real, raw, practical guidance from someone who’s lived through it. I created this space for you because I believe in you, and I know firsthand that it is possible to come out the other side.

From my own journey, I’ve learned how important it is to have access to the right information, yes—but more than that, to have a community of people who truly get what you’re going through. That’s what I want this space to be—a safe, judgment-free zone where you can find the understanding and support you need to start healing. Even if you’ve been stuck in the same pain for what feels like forever, there’s a way forward, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Recovery isn’t something anyone should have to face in isolation. I’m here with you, walking this path alongside you. Together, we can break the silence, shatter the stigma, and help you reclaim your life, step by step. I believe in that, and I believe in you. I’ve felt the crushing weight of it all, and I want you to know that I believe with every part of me that you can make it through.

Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for taking this brave step. Let’s keep moving forward, side by side, one step at a time. You’re stronger than you know, and I’m with you every step of the way.

Because No one should ever have to go through this alone.

From the Depths of My Soul: Missing You, Aunt Pam
Life without you feels incomplete, like a part of me is missing that I can never get back. I miss you every day, more than words could ever express. The world feels colder without your strength, your love, and your voice guiding me. I long for just one more hug, one more conversation, just to feel your presence one last time. You held me together when everything else was falling apart, and even now, I feel lost without you. You were my anchor in the storm, my comfort in the darkest of nights. I’ll never stop wishing you were still here, to laugh with me, to share in life’s moments, and to just be there. My heart aches in ways I can't explain, and nothing fills that void. I love you beyond what any words could capture, and I miss you with every part of me.