Mental Wellness: A Journey of Discovery
Former NH Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick, Jr. Captures the Essence of Discovery, Recovery & Prevention for Us and Our Children
January 2023
Former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick, Jr. was the 2021 recipient of West Central Behavioral Health’s Lilla McLane Bradley for Mental Health Advocacy Award. He’s now published a book titled, Backroads and Highways: My Journey to Discovery on Mental Health. In it, he describes his own journey with his son's mental health issues, as well as his multiplicity of ongoing journeys to reach out to middle and high-school students around our New Hampshire communities over the past 6 years, with more than 350 speaking engagements.
Another strong voice comes from Will Torrey, MD, Vice Chair of West Central’s Board of Directors and Interim Chair of Dartmouth Health’s Department of Psychiatry. Will wrote the Forward to John's new book. In it, he mentions, "How fortunate we are that John Broderick chose to speak!" and "Without fanfare or anger, he [John] points out how far we are from the future that we can create."
Let’s address psychiatric illnesses with the same urgency and seriousness of purpose that we devote to cancer and other illnesses that touch all of our lives. The process starts with changing how we see the world but it does not end there. All of us (individuals, governments, healthcare organizations, insurers, and advocacy organization) will need to take concerted action. As John says, the status quo is not OK. — Will Torrey, MD
Through John’s and Will’s written words, I’m struck by the crescendo of imminent change we must still pursue to conquer the ongoing perception that there’s discomfort with talking about mental illness. In my own travels to schools and communities in and around the Upper Valley and Sullivan County regions of New Hampshire and Vermont, I’ve been struck nearly speechless when kids who meet me for the first time see my West Central Behavioral health badge. I’ve been hugged and thanked. I’ve had middle and high-schoolers tell me terrifically powerful stories about their progress in therapy. Unfettered by the trappings of perceived social rights or wrongs, these young students are outgoing and effusive in their gratitude for the help they’ve received from their West Central therapists and case managers. They wear their mental health issues and therapy sessions like badges of honor. And who can fault them? Overcoming life’s challenges at such a young age positions them well to take on more challenges as they mature. Pride and success in overcoming obstacles of the mind will make many things seem possible no matter the level of difficulty.
One young high-schooler ran off from the table I was staffing at the Newport Middle High School only to come back moments later with a news article she had written for the school paper. She was proud to show me that she was a budding journalist, and to tell me that writing was part of her recovery. She couldn’t contain her excitement.
John has experienced this and more in his travels. Some of it heartening, much of it heart-wrenching. But, I know the great good he’s doing by opening up conversations about mental illness by using his own experiences with his family. Kids take to him like a breath of fresh air. Imagine, a mature adult who speaks their language by talking about his feelings and the many emotional challenges he and his family have suffered. Hardship is a way of life. Discussing it openly as an adult is a gift. Let’s let our children, with their honest exuberance, guide us gently but surely as we take their lead on a journey into our own wellness and personal growth.
Read a recent Valley News article (1/3/23) discussing John, his book, and his journeys and conversations with youth at this link: https://www.vnews.com/John-Broderick-pens-book-about-mental-health-journey-49260266 All profits ($3 per copy) from the book go into a mental health awareness and education fund at Dartmouth Hitchcock. My copy is now ordered and on its way!
If you’d like to contribute to this important charitable cause of mental health and mental wellness beyond purchasing John’s book, please don’t wait a minute to visit West Central Behavioral Health’s online giving page at GiveToWestCentral with a one-time or monthly gift of whatever amount fits your budget. You will help save lives.
Dave Celone writes from Sharon, VT. When he’s not out raising money for a worthy charitable cause like West Central, you can find him working the winter woodpile, shoveling a skating path around a frozen pond, or clearing sticks from the many woods trails he walks most days.