Sonja Wasden

Sonja is a suicide survivor with over 35 years of lived experience with mental health challenges. She is a mental health advocate, keynote speaker, and author. Her memoir, An Impossible Life, is a best seller and Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Winner. Sonja’s mental health advocacy work includes drug addiction recovery programs, homeless shelters, firefighters, police officers, veterans, women’s prisons, students, and others. Oprah Winfrey graciously participated virtually in one of Sonja’s mental health book clubs discussions to inspire the women inmates at Central California Women’s Facility, the world's largest women’s prison. Sonja is a member of Newsweek Expert Forum and a TEDX speaker. She has been interviewed in across all 50 states on local and national news, including CBS This Morning, about her personal struggles and triumph with mental illness Sonja has traveled the country speaking with Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit organizations, government officials, advocacy groups, and others about the importance of mental health. She has been an op-ed contributor in such publications as Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Hill, Ms. Magazine, Kevin M.D., NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness), Oprah Daily, and others. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations create open and inclusive conversations around mental health. Sonja has had the privilege of sharing her story and message of hope with millions of people.