No Matter What

01/04/2024

It’s with a bleeding heart that I share Rita has once again lost a sibling to mental health.

https://www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/madelynnstevens?fbclid=IwAR3ylqTpm37ysL0xcV7k-jU_jQ2_3n7-8zucvoJn3XzBlgR7l90x33hT7eI_aem_AbM8iJowSohcmT5F-reuW2GI_RStwHJwTdOgNId-8tDZ4HSFdE8oyIWUditU8YChdN8

Rita Thompson is a speaker and a survivor.
Rita Thompson has lived in the Des Moines area for the past 30 years. She has a flourishing urban farm with an array of animals and plants that she claims as an essential part of her self care. Rita also lives with her supportive husband and three children, sending the oldest off to college this summer. Although Rita has dabbled in many professions, Mental Health is where her passion lies. For the past five years Rita has made a home within Orchard Place, a Des Moines non-profit that focuses on the mental health of children in Iowa. Rita has been working on campus, where Orchard Places houses their residential treatment. Currently, Rita is focusing her efforts on obtaining her Licensed Mental Health Counselor graduate degree with Grandview University as well as providing Substance Abuse Counseling within the community.
Rita has had her own struggles with mental health, especially as a young adult, suffering from depression, domestic assault, addiction and suicidal ideation. Rita has lost a handful of friends over the years to addiction and su***de, which helped fuel her healing process as well as her passion to help others through struggles and traumas. The most monumental loss for Rita was after her sister completed su***de in March of 2021. This loss sent Rita into a spiral, reading as much as possible about suicidal ideation and completion. This also connected Rita to Caroline and No Matter What.

03/31/2023

Setting and maintaining boundaries has helped me conserve my emotional energy. Thus, more independence and self-esteem. I have spent a lifetime not letting myself feel and trying to fix. So we will begin monthly updates on the Gala soon.
NMW will continue to have one large awareness speaking Gala yearly. We feel it’s our best way to bring awareness in a moving way.
Our Founder will donate QPR prevention classes and incorporate Certified Personal Medical Coaching for large scale gatekeepers.

12/15/2022

It is with the heaviest heart that we feel the pain of the recent family in todays news. The level of grief and the pain of the loved ones and the deep pain in the heart of one that takes their life. You are loved despite the worst thing you have ever done.
Please take this moment to add 988 to your phone contacts. This is one of the first steps of prevention.

10/31/2022

NMW Gala.

10/07/2022

From Kevin Miller

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I had the priviledge of speaking at Carolyn Monson's No Matter What Gala about Su***de Awareness. Caroline lost her brother to su***de and she is doing something about it to bring awareness to this tough topic. She asked me to talk about keeping the mind, body, and spirit healthy. I prepared a doctorish talk about hormones, exercise, gut health and nervous system. When I arrived at the event and listened to others that had lost siblings, sons, daughters, and best friends, my spirit was moved and that talk went out the window. I realized that I have been affected by su***de in my life so I told the stories of those people. My first memory of su***de was a friend of my parents named Bill. I was a young child but remember when they got the call and seeing my mom's sadness and grief immediately. Both my parents rushed to get us kids taken care of and hustled out the door to be with the family. I am sure asking the questions why did he do this to himself.

My birthday was this week on October 3rd and this subject hits my heart every year because growing up I had a birthday buddy named Mandy that took her life also. In school we would celebrate our day every year. It was so fun growing up with Mandy knowing we were going to celebrate every year. I know so many miss her to this day. She was a friend to so many.

I lost another friend, Todd, in high school. He was a senior when I was a freshman. We competed on the wrestling team together and he was the varsity guy and he beat up on me every day in practice. There was a point in the season where he had a minor injury and I filled in the varsity spot for me. As a freshman, I was a nervous wreck. He calmed me down before my debut in the New Hampton Varsity line up because of what he said to me. He sat me down and said, "You are going to do to big things, just relax, and go out and wrestle like you do with me at practice." I remember those words from the senior that I looked up to. I was good friends with Todd's younger brothers, Scott and Mark. When I was a senior, Mark was a freshman on the team. Mark did not show up for a tournament on a Saturday morning. We were worried about what happened and later found out that Todd had took his life. I will never forget the pain on Mark and Scott’s face at the funeral. There have been others in my small town in Iowa that have taken their life.

Then there was Adam, a fellow wrestler growing up competing against each other. He had reached out to me after some family troubles. We were talking every week about the struggles and the last time I spoke with him he was doing great. He told me he was back in church and not drinking at all. Then less than a week later, I found out he had taken his life. The Why questions just kept creeping up and saying to myself, “I should have driven to see him and met with him in person.”

Most recently, my brother’s best friend took his own life. They did everything together and I know there is an empty void in my brothers life. Then this past weekend, I saw a friend of mine from Wartburg lost her son. Su***de has impacted me and many people out there. Support each other and be the light for someone. Sometimes they need to borrow your belief in them because it maybe more than they have.

My challenge to you today is to reach out to someone and give them your ear. Please ask them how they are doing in life. You never know what you say or do today will have on a person tomorrow, a month from now, a year from now or many years later. Extend your hand to someone you know.

09/24/2022

Our bike was donated to someone wo reached out with why they need it.

Reach out with why you need a self-love photo.

09/22/2022

I highly recommend this. If price is an issue inbox me. Its $35
DT is amazing.
I would also recommend looking at inner space for the ecstatic dance sessions. I have not tried but another option for passion exploration. If price is an issue - contact me.

“Comfort is Queen” when it comes to this heart, mind, and body focused form of yoga. In this 90-minute yoga session, you’ll experience mostly seated and fully supported postures utilizing tools such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks.  

09/20/2022

"Polk County was proud to sponsor your event."
We are looking for sponsors for next year's Gala. Who do you know? Send us a message

09/19/2022

Doris nailed this speech and there was not a dry eye in the room. I know I can identify with one or more of her qualities. We are very similar and I'm proud of pointing that out. Doris has a real estate team, is a mother and lost her son. With her permission, I'm sharing a piece of her speech. For all other speakers. Please send me a clip to post on NMW.

09/17/2022

Let's try this again, but with photos!!!!
Stori Saltzman is heavily involved in NMW and has been since day one. She found her passion in redoing and upcycling furniture. Her page https://www.facebook.com/sameeranewstori shows her creativity and outlet to help her cope during difficult times.
Everyone has a purpose. Find your passion!
Description of piece:
Solid wood shelf, with fresh coat of new paint, a few transfers, gold leafing and accessories to make it one of a kind. Measurements are:
21"H
7.5"L
10"W
Silent Auction from 09/17/2022-09/24/2022. Bid by Liking her page and sending her your bid via messenger. She will let you know if you won. THINK HOLIDAYS****

09/15/2022

Who do you know that needs this? INBOX us a name for someone who needs this and WHY.