MEET JIM

Jim has been an advocate for mental health for over 20 years.  His passion for mental health awareness came due to two bouts with clinical depression – one came in the Winter/Spring of 2001 and another came in the Summer of 2021.

In February of 2001, Jim began to start to feel the symptoms of clinical depression without knowing that how he felt, 1) had a name, and 2) could be battled/controlled with the proper professional help. 

After approximately 100 days where Jim pleaded with God to either “take him or make him feel better,” and he contemplated taking his own life on a daily basis to remove the pain, a friend of his (Wendell Frederick), who had suffered from depression and was under professional care, noted that Jim wasn’t acting like his normal happy self and suggested that he see his doctor.

Before doing so, Jim did endless research on depression and anxiety and found that he had all the symptoms.  A tremendous relief off of his shoulders, he went to his Primary Care Physician, who confirmed he indeed did have clinical depression. 

Jim was prescribed anti-depressants and was advised to go to talk therapy, which he did over several months. A combination of both helped to slowly alleviate his depressive symptoms.  Within 3-4 weeks, Jim was feeling close to how he did prior to the depression. 

In the Summer of 2021, following the tragic death of his brother Bob (please see Bob page under “In honor/memoriam” tab), his graduation from graduate school, and the end of the school year as a teacher, Jim went into a tailspin which led to a second and more severe bout with clinical depression.

Due to his experience with the illness 20 years prior, Jim knew what he had, but needed to get the professional help again to assist him in getting out of the “deep, dark forest.” This time however, the clinical depression lasted the entire Summer.  

For approximately seven to eight weeks, under the immediate care of his Primary Care Physician and talk therapist, Jim contemplated taking his life on a daily basis.  The depression had consumed him to the point where he could not be left alone, nor could leave the house alone.  A simple trip to the local Supermarket was pure torture. 

Similar to his first bout with depression and anxiety, Jim turned to prayer to help him with some of the terrible thoughts and ideas of ending his own life that were very consistent.  He also tried to go on walks on a daily basis to help him get fresh air.

Fortunately in the beginning weeks of August of 2021, the depression and anxiety started to go away.  Although he strongly considered going on FMLA for his teaching career, his faith in God gave him the strength to give teaching, without interruption, a chance. 

Jim has spoken on a number of podcasts throughout the world about his bouts with depression and anxiety, as well as speaking to groups in the Poconos of Pennsylvania.  He is now most willing to speak with all groups to help mitigate the stigma of mental illness and give a “voice for the voiceless.”

Furthermore, Jim has taken to distance running to become a “face of depression” for those suffering, looking to inspire others that if you get the proper professional help, there is a great life that awaits you.

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Aside from talk therapy and taking anti-depressants, Jim has used exercise to help increase serotonin levels, aka – “runners high.”

Primarily following his first bout with depression, Jim would walk and run regularly, always feeling considerably better mentally after he was finished.  This newfound passion for walking and running led him to begin training for a 5k (3.1 miles) and finally for half (13.1 miles) and full (26.2 miles) marathons. 

In 2014, Jim finished three marathons in three months for mental health awareness.  In 2016, prior to starting doctoral studies, he completed four marathons in four months to again, promote mental health awareness.

In 2019, Jim finished three half-marathons in three months to honor former student and player, Schyler Herman, who unfortunately died of leukemia at age 15.  Her foundation can be here.

Following his recent bout with depression, Jim is now looking to train more for future marathons and shorter distance runs.

He has presently completed 21 marathons and five half-marathons. Below you will see some of his finisher’s medals and runner’s bibs.