Stories of Hope: An Interview with Sharon Wise
This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate Sharon Wise about her journey and her current activities. Here’s our interview:
DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment?
SW: I first became aware and concerned about my mental health at a very young age but did not know what it was called. I realized as early as nine years old that when I got molested or hurt in some way by a stranger or family member, I would cut or injure myself. This was done so that I would have a physical “hurt” to take care of because I didn’t know how to take care of mental hurt. And when I would tell, no one would believe me or do anything about it so I internalized it.
That process lasted for years and I was filled with anxiety. Sounds, smells, textures and taste were all controlled to the point I could not use public bathrooms or eat in public for fear of being assaulted or dropping food and that I would be beaten for it. I was a perfectionist in every way and my art, writing and creations were all done in line because to make a mistake spelled disaster for me and my esteem.
I began to run away from home, and no one looked for me. When I would return no one seemed to care I was gone. There was a lot of drug abuse and neglect and no one seemed to care about each other. By the time I was eighteen, I had two children and I was homeless. I was a drop out, drug addict and prostitute and felt hopeless. After abandoning my children and loosing all parental rights, I was in and out of jails, institutions and mental hospitals.
DS: What was the turning point that led you to decide to seek help?
SW: The turning point for me seeking treatment was when I went to jail for the last time and a guard looked at my record and my accomplishments and asked, “What happened to you, Sharon?” She didn’t ask what was wrong with me. Her voice was as harsh as any person I had ever heard but asking “what happened” made me feel like she cared. I got into a prayer circle while in jail in Seattle and began to take art classes which I mastered. I visited a therapist a couple times and began to make ceramics for other inmates to make a few bucks.
I felt different when I was released that final time because I had new words to use, “what happened?” not “what’s wrong.” However, I did use drugs again and ended up on methadone which after two months, I walked away from seventy milligrams because I wanted to be clean through and through. I wanted to change and seek help because I wanted to get my children back and live the life, I knew I could as a talented artist and film maker. I knew I could not do anything if I was in jail, dead in a gutter or passed out in a drug house.
DS: What has your treatment consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?
SW: My treatment early on consisted of methadone, psychotherapy, recovery groups and journaling. I have found that willingness to change is a necessary ingredient in my treatment and how I recovered. I also began doing art, role play and sculpting. Also, truth telling and truth sharing are valuable tools that helped me feel better and that I was not alone. Being transparent and reigniting resiliency were also keys to successful treatment and recovery.
DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?
SW: Things are going very well although I have ups and downs. That’s a part of life! The challenges I face now are the residue of my decisions, like once I found my daughter after 26 years, she refuses to let me see my grandchildren. I rarely hear from her and when I do it’s punitive and short. I have two grandchildren I’ve never seen. That makes me very sad because the children have nothing to do with her hate for me. I get a bit sad about that especially considering she allows everyone else in my family to see my four grandchildren, just not me.
I have my wonderful life, my performing and visual art and my ability to share my life and story with strangers who in turn share theirs with me. I speak, perform and show my film nationally and internationally hoping and trying to prevent others from going through what I went through. I stay positive and healthy knowing that what I share with others can change their lives. My art and jewelry hang and are worn all over the world.
DS: You’ve been active in mental health advocacy and/or social media. Tell us about your involvement in those activities.
SW: As a mental health advocate I have started a few recovery meetings for persons with lived experience. My best effort was a drop-in center whereas I had eleven peers working with me, three sites and a small laundry and barbershop. It was called Our Turn Advocacy Services where I trained peers to advocate on three levels, Individual, Class and Systems. I also trained them to write testimony and how to testify at hearing and perform letter writing campaigns for mental health parity and domestic violence. I also participated in “block the box” and voter registration for persons with mental illness by going under bridges, homeless camps and shelters to register people.
DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery?
SW: I would like to say stay humble and share your experience if you have gone through something and come out on the other side. I would say if you have a voice, use it and do not allow any one to silence you with fear of retaliation. Never give up and always know there are millions of people like you who have your back.
About Sharon
Sharon Wise is a motivational speaker, national and international artist, and award-winning film maker who shares her journey about addiction, homelessness, jails and institutions using film, visual and performing arts. She calls herself a “Surviving Spirit” whose life trials have now led to major triumphs. Through her advocacy and organizational skills, she has assisted in shaping policies, changing laws and equipping others with new tools, resources, and transferable skills. She has been a consultant to several Federal, non-profit, and private organizations and behavioral health systems. She holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services, and her credentials include Certified Whole Health, Peer Specialist, and WRAP Facilitator. She is the recipient of numerous community service, leadership, and arts awards. Sharon’s art hangs all over the world. As a writer she has assisted in creating national guidelines and curricula for APA, SAMHSA, GAINS Center, National Council for Behavioral Health and Mission. Her film “Letter to Niyyah” won a Gold Medal at the 2018 ADDY’s. She’s written several plays “Meet Me On the Moon”,” Dinner at Tuesday’s” and a collection of self-published children’s books entitled “ S. Dillan” about a dog who has bipolar and a trauma history. You can connect with Sharon via Facebook.
Thanks so much to Sharon for sharing her inspiring story of hope!
Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!