Peer Group Facilitators
Meet Crystal
Facilitator of Monticello & Online Group
Hi, I’m Crystal. I am a wife to an amazing husband, a mom of two beautiful boys, and a social worker with a passion to help people. Among many other things, I also live with mental illness. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, and vicarious trauma. Whoa – what a mouth full. These disorders have had a major impact on my life. It is my mission to share my experiences with others to prove that you are not alone in this battle
Meet Elizabeth
Facilitator of Monticello Group
Hi! My name is Elizabeth and I live with Bipolar I Disorder and anxiety. I have found hope and healing through acceptance and healthy management of my mental illness. I am passionate about raising mental health awareness and connecting with others. While mental illness may be a part of you or someone you know, it does not define a person. You are not alone and there is hope!
Meet Job
Facilitator of Elk River Group
Hi I’m Job and I live with military connected PTSD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). After years of ignoring, denying, and hiding the existence of mental illness symptoms, I hit rock bottom. My life had changed for the worse in ways that I never thought possible. Through healthy treatment and management of my mental health and unbelievable grace from those around me, I was able to get my life back on track. I now have a desire to offer support, guidance, and hope to those that suffer from similar experiences
Meet Katie
Co-Facilitator of Survivors of Suicide Loss Group
My name is Katie Shatusky, and I am the Executive Director and Founder of Thumbs Up, a local nonprofit based in Elk River that supports mental health and suicide prevention. In November 2010, I lost my grandfather, Bob Schmit, to suicide. I am a mental health advocate because I struggle with depression and anxiety. I share my experiences, hoping they will help others find the courage needed to get help.
Meet Lisabet
Online Co-Facilitator
Meet Melissa
Co-Facilitator of Survivors of Suicide Loss Group
Hi, I am Melissa. I am a momma to two amazing boys. I work at Thumbs Up, where we hope to help break the stigma that comes with mental illness. After losing my brother Adam to suicide in 2013 shortly after I had my first son, I struggled a great deal with anxiety, but it took me a couple years to figure out what it was. That is also when I hit rock bottom, realizing not only did I struggle with anxiety, I also had bipolar disorder and PTSD. Losing Adam and my own struggles helped push me to want to talk about mental illness, suicide and share my story to help others. I had found my purpose. I want others to know it’s ok to not be ok, to help them know it’s ok to share their story, and most importantly to know they are not alone.
Meet Ryan
Co-Facilitator of Elk River Group
My name is Ryan. I live in Elk River with my beautiful Wife and two kids. I’m currently a mill machinist in Ramsey MN living with OCD and depression. These diagnoses are what drew me to the online group in 2020 during the pandemic. After meeting and connecting with people, I was able to build on the success from therapy and now have the opportunity to help others create their success stories as a group leader. I look forward to meeting you at one of our groups.
Meet Stacy
Co-Facilitator of Ramsey Group
