A Passionate Consumer Advocate for Mental Health
Carol A. Kivler is a nationally recognized mental health speaker, international executive coach/trainer and author. Most importantly, she is a passionate consumer advocate for mental health. Carol shares her lived experience overcoming 4 major bouts of medication resistant depression, treatment and maintaining mental wellness. Carol has been in recovery for the past 18 years!
Carol is an ardent mental health advocate for consumers struggling with depression and mental illness. She works tirelessly to overcome stigma and misrepresentations that still surround those suffering from mental illnesses. As a consumer advocate and mental wellness speaker, she tells the story of the treatment that saved her life, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Moreover, she shares strategies for maintaining sustained recovery and mental wellness. Her inspirational presentations resonate with mental and medical health professionals, consumers, their families and friends. They inspire compassion, understanding, and hope.
In addition, Carol has served on several boards and committees addressing mental health issues. She has received numerous awards and honors for her philanthropy and advocacy.
Carol is an authentic, riveting, and memorable motivational speaker. Her high-energy and compelling mental health presentations change thinking. Additionally, they encourage participants to move from mental illness to the realm of mental wellness.
For Carol, depression came out of the blue, to a happy, high-functioning college professor, wife and mother of three. She had no previous history of mental illness. Carol fell into a severe depression and was hospitalized. Despite a supportive family, caring friends and the best medical care available, clinical depression tightened its grip. It was completely resistant to psychotherapy and medication. With no alternatives left, Carol agreed to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT not only worked, it was her silver bullet out of the pit of depression. Despite three recurrences of clinical depression, Carol continued with ECT, recovering each time.
Recovery is Not Just Possible, it is Probable!
During her recovery periods, Carol received a master’s degree in human resource education. Additionally, she started Kivler Communications, a company that provides customized corporate training, development and international executive coaching. Carol also earned her CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) from the National Speakers Association.
People living with mental illness can be fully productive and accomplished members of society and of the workforce. For the past 18 years. Carol has been living and thriving in sustained wellness. She is proof that recovery is not just possible, it is probable!
In July 2014, Carol proudly founded Courageous Recovery, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to promote a mental wellness movement by advancing education, advocating nationally, and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Carol’s three best-selling books on depression and mental health issues have won multiple awards. They also enjoy a strong following among medical professionals, consumers, and their families.
Carol is a sought-after keynote and workshop mental health speaker. She addresses psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, counselors, medical/nursing students. Also, she presents to human resource professionals, disability managers, absence/risk managers, and employee assistance professionals. In addition, she speaks to associations, organizations, school systems, and government agencies.
Carol is a very popular mental health speaker at consumer conferences across the country. Attendees are motivated and empowered by her lived experience. Furthermore, her message of hope and recovery truly resonates with consumer audiences.
Carol’s powerful and passionate telling of her very personal and harrowing story profoundly impacts her audiences and the way they view mental illness and stigma.
She shares the specific strategies that have helped her maintain mental wellness. Carol wants everyone to know that: “People with mental illness want to be viewed as courageous survivors – to be accepted, not rejected; respected, not pitied; and admired, not feared”.