Mar 07 2025 55 mins
Recovery, Identity & Advocacy with Vanessa Harry
On this episode of the Make Mental Health Matter Show, Kelli chats with Vanessa Harry.
Bit of the story from Vanessa: “Growing up as the first in our family to be born with 50% Cherokee blood line, having a father who was full blood and a mother who was not part of the Cherokee Nation. Raised in poverty in rural Oklahoma, spending a lifetime with mental health struggles, trauma, abandonment issues, many failed suicide attempts, gender identity, and a 30 year battle with substance addiction that led me to a 10 year prison sentence where my recovery journey truly began. I have worked in the treatment and recovery industry since 2021 and am passionate about bringing awareness and change to our community by helping stop stigma, providing a greater connection of available resources to those in need while showing the world the power of stepping out of the shadows and letting our voices shine. I live my life as a proud survivor who recovers out loud for myself and my community!”
Vanessa (she/they) proudly identifies as being a transgender female who is extremely active in her long-term sustained recovery. Vanessa is the Director of Community Connections for Advocates for Recovery Colorado, and is on the board of directors for Colorado Artists in Recovery. Vanessa is a passionate advocate for both the Recovery and LGBTQ+ communities, a public figure and speaker, a performer, and a person committed to maintaining a consistent state of positive change for herself and her community.
Find out more about Vanessa here:
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaHarry216/
https://www.instagram.com/vanessaharry216/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-harry/
Bio - Advocates for Recovery Colorado - https://www.advocatesforrecovery.org/vanessa
Bio - Colorado Artist in Recovery (board member) https://www.coloradoartistsinrecovery.org/meet-the-team-1
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