“It was probably around 1 p.m. on that Sunday after Thanksgiving. We were driving, and his mom called me and she’s just in tears. And that’s when she tells me that he’s gone.”

In 2023, James Greer experienced one of the worst things imaginable: the loss of a child. Less than five months later, his father-in-law passed away from an aggressive form of cancer. To cope with the mounting grief and stress, he dove headfirst into his work. He was able to maintain for a while, but in time James realized that his mental health had reached a crisis level. Luckily for James (and for WellPower!), he was able to ask for help. That experience helped guide him to where he is today, leading WellPower’s remarkable team of community mental health providers as our new president and CEO.

In reflecting on his experience, James knows he could have ended up in a very different place. “Had I not had access to those resources or supports? My life would probably look completely different. I think that I probably would not be working right now, and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting in this seat representing WellPower.”

Asking for help can be hard, and it was not something James was used to doing. “Being a black man, and being a gay man, a lot of times in the back of our mind, we think we can’t afford to take time for things like grief because in some spaces we feel like we have to be twice as good to prove ourselves. We worry we’ll be perceived as weak, and one of the things I learned is that what weakens you is not taking care of yourself. I found that I’m able to give more if my cup is full.”

For James, taking care of himself means embracing a whole support system, from his therapist to his family, friends and colleagues. It also includes a well-being routine where he can ensure that he’s attending to his physical, mental and emotional needs.

That system and routine is exactly what people we serve can receive at WellPower. “The work that we do is critical to our community. We are able to meet folks where they are and get them the resources they need, from therapy and peer support to education and employment services to housing and food and much more.”

“You always hear, it takes a village to raise a kid. And after my experience I fully believe that it also takes a village to help us when we are struggling with our mental health. WellPower can be that village, and I encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out to us.”

Watch James’ remarkable story below: