Brooke's Story

Hidden behind a smile: Brooke shares need for mental health care and resources in the community

Brooke Dingels, a dedicated nurse at Ridgeview for 16 years, knows firsthand the importance of mental health care. As a mother and a working professional, she initially faced the pressure to maintain a "Pinterest-worthy" lifestyle, but soon realized the toll it was taking on her well-being. After the birth of her second child, Brooke struggled with post-partum depression, feeling overwhelmed and inadequate in balancing her responsibilities.

“I realized quickly I couldn’t do it all,” Brooke said. “I thought I was a failure.”

She realized these characteristics and traits she embodied were also present in her two brothers and her parents.

“We were starting to feel the stress of the world and in our own duties and our own jobs,” Brooke said.

The real turning point came in December 2019, when Brooke’s father, a respected farmer in the community, tragically took his own life. Despite outward appearances of success and happiness, her father had been silently battling internal struggles.

“He was well loved. He took pride in his crop and his farming,” she said. “He had everything one would want or need.”

This devastating loss became a catalyst for Brooke’s mission to raise awareness about mental health.

“I want people to know it can be anyone,” Brooke said. “Even someone who seems to have it all can be struggling. There’s a stigma that getting help is a weakness, but it takes immense courage to step forward and admit you need support.”

Brooke now uses her story to break the silence around mental health and encourage others to seek help. “If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. There are people around you who care—you just need to ask.” Through her advocacy, Brooke hopes to inspire others to embrace the importance of mental health care in the community and help prevent future tragedies.

“It’s a powerful reminder that there’s often more behind a smile than we realize, and that mental health care resources are critical for everyone,” said Brooke.

You can help. Your donations help us build a robust mental health program to provide the mental health care our community needs.

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Thank you for your generosity and compassion.