ABOUT BEN
*Volunteer Peer Support Specialist and on the Speaker's Bureau with NAMI SE MN
*New Direct Support Professional with the Southeastern Regional Crisis Center
*Future Storytelling Organizer
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Hi, and welcome to my website and blog. My name is Ben Romberg and I have diagnosed depression and also deal with anxiety. They do not define who I am though.
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I've spent almost my entire life in the Midwest. I grew up as an only child in a loving, nurturing household. Growing up, I was very shy and struggled to make friendships. I was a child who became very internalized into my own world. It was my safe place. As a child and teenager, I didn't fully realize it at the time, but I was not facing my internal struggles in a healthy manner. It wasn't my fault, though. No one ever showed me how to get help.
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Fast forward two decades later, I can now proudly say that I'm a lot healthier, mentally. I'm a continuous work in progress.
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I created this website, blog, and storytelling platform as a window into my advocacy. I believe transparency is crucial in moving forward to decrease STIGMA in mental illness.
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When I'm not working, you can usually find me out cycling in the warmer months in Minnesota, advocating all things mental health, traveling to any warm destination, or spending time with my partner and our two dogs.
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Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.
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Email: ben@theupstairsbattle.com
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Want to get to know more about me? Click here to listen to my story.
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Interesting tidbits about me, click here.
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You can also look through my blog and check out the new interview series called, "From My Childhood" by clicking on the buttons below.
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You are not alone. Together, we are stronger!
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-Ben
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TESTIMONIALS/ARTICLES
December 4th,2020
Highland Meadows Minute Podcast
"Ben, you are such a great example of addressing mental health concerns and removing the stigma. People like you make a difference."
Local NAMI volunteers go the extra mile to help people manage their mental health - September 14th, 2020
Credit: Med City Beat (Link)
Thank you for presenting to our class today and a huge thank you to the folks that chose to share their stories with us! That kind of personal story and information is invaluable.
UMR Nursing Student - June 25th, 2020
Thank you for sharing your story. I think you're very brave. I have depression and still don't share it with everyone I work with due to the stigma and I work in the helping field. There is still judgment, sometimes even more so because we help others, so there is that pressure that we need to always be strong. I still feel that judgement from co-workers that it's ok to take days off for physical illness, but not for mental health days.

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April 17th, 2020