*MEDIA RELEASE*

Guest Column

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   CONTACT: Michael J. Yates

DATE: May 1, 2025                                                                             PHONE: 865-719-7221

Can I quit now? Finding encouragement in others.

-by Michael Yates

Oak Ridge, TN – Have you ever felt like quitting?

I have.

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a day painted in promise – clear skies, open roads, and the rhythm of breath and heart. After months of intense training, I stood at the starting line of a full-day triathlon: swim, bike, run. My body was ready. My spirit, steady.

But as the day wore on and temperatures climbed, my confidence began to slip. I fell behind on hydration and nutrition. And with each passing hour, I drifted – not just from the finish line, but from myself. Dusk arrived like a curtain, and I still had miles to go. I felt small, spent, and ashamed. I wanted to quit.

In the growing darkness, I saw my friend Jim—my support throughout the day—standing up ahead. I approached him, hoping for relief, and asked, “Can I quit now?”

He looked at me with a quiet, sober expression and said simply, “No. No, you can’t. You have to keep going.”

I wanted to cry.

“In Every Story, There’s Strength.” That’s the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, as set by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Their campaign celebrates the power of storytelling to foster connection, understanding, and hope for anyone navigating a difficult journey.

Again, have you ever felt like quitting?

Maybe it seems like a stretch to compare emotional health challenges to a one-day endurance event. But I believe my story reflects something important—the power of encouragement, the strength that lies in connection, and the vital role of social support.

We all encounter moments when we want to give up. Sometimes, quitting is the right decision, like leaving a violent relationship, walking away from a toxic job, or seeking help for addiction. But at other times, what we need is someone to stand beside us and say, “Keep going. I see you. You’re not alone.”

That night, I would have quit if Jim had let me. But he didn’t. And in hindsight, I learned something invaluable: Sometimes we need people in our lives who won’t let us quit because they know what we’re capable of – even when we can’t see it ourselves.

Every challenge we face shapes who we are. By sharing our stories, we not only empower ourselves—we inspire others to keep going, too. Together, we can build a movement rooted in courage, healing, and connection. Each story shared is a reminder of the strength that lives in us all, even if it’s drawn from the encouragement of a friend.

Has someone ever asked you for permission to quit—something, anything, everything?

This Mental Health Awareness Month let’s honor the theme by sharing our stories. Let’s build stronger social connections, nurture supportive relationships, and encourage one another to seek help when needed. These are not just acts of kindness, they are essential steps in combating loneliness, addressing depression, and promoting overall mental well-being.

Because we all have a story, and in every story, there truly is strength.

If in need of professional help, you can begin your care today through Ridgeview’s Walk-in Clinic locations in Anderson, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, and Roane counties, visit www.ridgeview.com to learn more. Ridgeview’s Mobile Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day / 365 days a year, is a resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis 1-800-870-5481.

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Michael Yates is the Director of Development at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services

Ridgeview is a private, not for profit community mental health center with locations in Anderson, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties.