Elaine’s Background and Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelors of Science Degree – Health Sciences and Communications, Brigham Young University. Provo, Utah – April 1985
• Trained with DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) as a Peer Support Specialist Richmond Virginia – September 2016
• Certified in Mental Health First Aid – by National Council for Behavioral Health – April 26, 2019

Professional Experience

• Co-Author of the book The Ultimate Career– Co-authored and contributed content to address mental and physical health issues.  Invited to speak at nationwide conferences with author Daryl V. Hoole – 2005
• “S.O.S. Stamp Out the Stigma by Sharing Our Stories”Chicago community leader and advocate for mental illness. 2007
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Training:
  • “In Your Own Voice”:Peoria, Illinois – September 2010 – Speak to hospital staff and patients about depression and anxiety on a monthly basis.
  • “Family to Family:Downers Grove, Illinois – September 2010 – speaks to students and staff at schools to help identify and support those with mental illness.
• Fellow for Creative Non-Fiction Magazine – Writing Away The Stigma:  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February-May 2015 Published in Pittsburg Tribune and the Children’s Mental Health Network Newsletter. Public speaker for Creative Non-Fiction Magazine.
• “Speak Up Chicago”Program volunteer and writer for homeless many who have mental illnesses. 2017
• Duly Noted Chicago – Story Telling – performed March 2018
• Contributor for The Mighty– On-line magazine March 2019
• Speaker and Educator – has spoken to church groups, hospital staffs, students & public school staff, and women’s groups around the country educating them on recognizing, living with and managing depression and anxiety.

Personal

• Married Mark Quinn, 36 years – Motherof five children and grandmother
• Watched over and helpedcare for a women with schizophrenia 10 hours a week 2008-2016
• Finisher of theDisney Half Marathon – January 2011
• Finisher of theChicago Allstate Half Marathon -June 2012
• Finisher in theTri-Shark Sprint Triathlon -June 2017
• Designed, published and maintains blog- Since 2017, to promote understanding and help people with depression and anxiety. Shares personal stories and ideas on how to maintain wellness and find joy in life.

Medical Treatments

• Attended Mayo Clinic’s10 day (80 hours) out-patient program for depression-  July 2013
• Electroconvulsive Therapy  ECT- Received a series of ECT-  2001 at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute in Utah
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – Received a series at Rush Medical Center –  Chicago
• Manages her Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder since 1991