Mental Health Promoter: Turning My Personal Experience into Community Advocacy

By: Allison Castillo

For me, my lived experience has become a powerful tool for service. As a member of the United Mental Health Promoter team at Parents Anonymous®, I play an active role in supporting families and individuals navigating mental health challenges. I draw from my own journey to foster understanding, connection, and hope.

I grew up in a household affected by domestic abuse, witnessing harm directed toward my mother and siblings. Eventually, we became a single-parent household. Despite everything, my mother worked tirelessly to provide stability, making sure we had clothing, food, and a safe place to live. As a teenager, I began to experience serious mental health challenges. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the depth of my emotional pain. I often felt isolated, worthless, and overwhelmed. Those feelings eventually escalated, a period I now recognize as deeply frightening and lonely. Recognizing how serious things had become, I made the decision to ask for help. Talking to my mother about how I was feeling was a turning point in my life. With her support, I began therapy, and that step proved to be life changing.

Through counseling, I gained the tools to better understand my mental health, build resilience, and begin healing. That experience reshaped my outlook and ultimately inspired my commitment to helping others who may be facing similar struggles. Today, I continued my own healing journey while dedicating my time to community service through Parents Anonymous®. In my role as a United Mental Health Promoter team, I connect with parents and individuals who feel alone or unsure of where to turn. My work focuses on education, outreach, and reminding families that support and resources are available.

Rather than allowing my past to define my limits, I see my experiences as a source of strength. By sharing my story, I hope to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage others to reach out for help. Parents Anonymous® and I believe “Asking for help is a sign of strength”. I reached out and asked my mother for help, and today I encourage everyone to reach out by calling the Parents Anonymous Helpline at 855 427-2736 and receive the support you need. My story empowers me. It allows me to show others that healing is possible and that life is worth living.  Through my advocacy work, I strive to uplift families, promote healing, and reinforce the message that seeking help is a sign of courage. My journey reflects how personal resilience, combined with community support, can create meaningful change.