Our name My Mental Health was a result of the Mental Health Challenges experienced by our founder, Brian McAlister. Brian is a recovering alcoholic and addict. His clean and sober date is August 2, 1990. Following 20 years of horrific and near fatal substance abuse Brian had a moment of clarity and sought answers to his mental health challenges. Numerous physical confrontations, auto and motorcycle wrecks, multiple compound fractures, a broken back, a traumatic head injury and accompanying physical pain were not a low bottom enough to encourage change. Guilt, depression, remorse, and shame had replaced the confidence of youth.
Finally, it was the mental and emotional, not the physical pain of his unworkable lifestyle that forced Brian’s hand. In 1990 with no apparent options left but to die or change, he sought mental health treatment. One morning he awoke from a blackout behind a body shop in NJ and experienced a moment of clarity that he acted upon. He cried out to his maker begging for relief and later that day he entered treatment. Following a medical detox and treatment Brian began to rebuild his life. He had the realization that his addictions and subsequent irrational behaviors, were a symptom, not the cause, of his substance use disorder. He began to study recovery and success with the same fervor in which he chased drugs, alcohol, and self-destruction
He began his new life by making living amends to his wife, son, family, and friends. Through mentoring, and willingness to change things improved. He discovered that the same character traits previously used destructively in active addiction, when repurposed, can lead us to the mountain top. For decades Brian was willing to risk his health, relationships, money, freedom and even his life to acquire the drugs he needed. In recovery he started upgrading his goals and transferred the ability to focus from drugs and alcohol to fulfilling his dreams. From a desperate, unemployable addict grew a corporate leader, and entrepreneur. In 1990 Brian was a 33-year-old minimum wage earner. By 1994 he was leading a workforce of thousands for a fortune 100 company.
It pays to believe in miracles, they happen.
Brian McAlister
After losing his sister to a heroin overdose Brian did a major reassessment of his life once again. Recognizing his blessings and how the availability of mental health treatment had changed his life, he left the corporate world and wrote the Amazon #1 Best Selling Book Full Recovery, the Recovering Persons Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Power. Following the success of the book he founded the Full Recovery Wellness Center, a licensed, CARF Accredited mental health treatment facility in Fairfield NJ specializing in the treatment of Substance Use Disorder, PTSD and trauma.
From this experience came a growing frustration that people were still being denied treatment from insurance companies even though treatment was needed. Brian’s solution was to develop affordable behavioral health software called Freedom 365. This interactive, first of its kind virtual recovery system was a game changer for both employers looking for innovative ways of reducing employee insurance costs, and individuals with no health insurance or the finances to afford substance use treatment. This was progress but he still was dissatisfied that everyone was not able to get access to this life altering content. Out of this desire to be of service, My Mental Health was born.
Brian believes that the miracle of full recovery can be taught, learned, and duplicated. His personal journey and the experiences of all he has helped is living proof that an open mind, becoming willing to change and keeping mental health first can lead to a life of abundance and fulfillment. Recovery is more than career satisfaction or financial security it includes love, health, enduring relationships spiritual prosperity and peace of mind. Brian and his wife Paula live in Texas and have been married for 45 years. Their commitment, love and spiritual growth is a bi-product of their commitment to positive mental health.
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