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By Eric M. Dugan
Eric M. Dugan
MyStory
Mental Health Survivor
I can relate to people struggling with their mental health because I have been there. I reached the depths of the lowest depression and have been to the highest state of mania. I have struggled with a gambling addiction, as well as many other struggles.
Now, 17 years from my last major mania episode and 6 years clean from my addiction, I live the life of my dreams by helping people with their own struggles with mental health, homelessness, and addiction.
I am a Poet
At night, I’m an artist. I perform at events all over Richmond inlcuding the legendary Tuesday Verses, the Writer's Den and Lyric Ave.
I am an Activist
My activism rages from protests to speaking to legislators on topics such as racism, mental illness and other social justice issues. As a community activist, I did my part in talking to legislatures to pass a bill for Racism to be a public health crisis in Virginia. I am part of the "If These Walls Could Talk" social justice project to be released in the summer of 2022.
I am Resilient
After my last bout with mania in 2004, I became a certified ScrumMaster, Six Sigma Blackbelt, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, as well as a minor in Religious Studies and an additional focus in Social Justice.
A few years later, after being laid off from my job twice, I chased my passions. Here I am. I am Eric Dugan.