Eric John Dias

Eric J Dias is no stranger to the struggles people with addiction and severe mental illness experience. He has lived with schizo-affective disorder since he was a teenager. Eric has been a tireless advocate for people with SMI and their families.   He lost the ability to do age appropriate coursework in high school due to his illness. When he responded to newer medication he was able to pass the GED test. Members of his church tutored him and prepared him to take college course work and attend Chattahoochee Technical College. He later transferred to Kennesaw State and was president of the KSU chapter of public speaking club Toast Masters International. While in College he hosted a show on KSU Owl Radio. He also rediscovered his passion for writing. He currently hosts a show for the National Shattering Silence Coalition’s Youtube Channel interviewing people with lived experience with mental illness, care givers, advocates and clinicians. He also works at a substance abuse treatment center and is active in his church and credits his christian faith and the love and support of his family with helping him overcome challenges in his life. He believes in unconditional gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” He is hopeful for the future but lives in the moment.