A year’s worth of work has finally paid off for local editors Heather Down and Natalie Harris.
Their anthology series, called Brainstorm Revolution, is a collection of first-person, true mental-health stories about love, personal growth and cultural revolution.
The call went out about a year ago for writers to submit their stories. About 100 different authors submitted.
One story, submitted by Orillia high school student Zoey Raffay, stands out for Harris.
“I did a talk for a (high school) class about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression and recovery, and the teacher said to me, ‘Just so you know, there’s one individual who... it might be very triggering for her',” says Harris. “So when I was doing the talk, Zoey was very isolated and to herself, and definitely didn’t want anyone to know there was something wrong.”
At the end of Harris’ talk, Raffay put up her hand.
“She shared a portion of her story,” says Harris, who then, along with Down, encouraged Raffay to participate in the anthology by putting her story to paper.
Raffay’s story outlines a night where she seriously contemplated suicide.
“It has allowed her to blossom and heal. Not only is she so excited to have the book published, it will also be in her school library,” says Harris. “Because (when) we talk, we break down the walls of stigma. Zoey doesn’t live behind the walls of stigma anymore. It’s amazing.”
Harris and Down both also wrote stories for the anthology series, as well as prominent community figures Michael Landsberg, Deb McGrath, Zach Hofer (Zach Makes Tracks), and Stephane Grenier.
“When we started this, we thought it would be good for the people reading it. But, going through this process, it’s been really good for the people writing it too,” says Down.
Serge Gagne, a Barrie resident, wrote about his struggles with alcoholism.
“My story is about how being a parent is sobering,” says Gagne. “I grew up with a family of alcoholics.”
Gagne’s story follows how his alcoholism led to him losing his wife, and nearly losing his relationship with his children.
“I really had a problem figuring out what my problem was,” says Gagne. “Now that I’ve been going through the 12-step program and helping others, I get to love myself today and be there for my children, which is one of the biggest gifts.”
“Many people... they don’t want to talk about it,” says Gagne. “But, if they could read it and it can help them... as long as I touch one person with that story, then I’ve done my part.”
Brainstorm Revolution is available through Chapters Indigo. Various authors will be rotating signing books at the Barrie Chapters on Barrie View Drive on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
