LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — It's a topic many shy away from, but a group of local agencies is working to bring it into the light during Mental Health Awareness Month 2025.
Gehle has written a book titled Strength Beyond the Shadows, detailing his journey from pain to healing.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio, CASA, and other community organizations have joined together to host a special event featuring Lima native Seth Gehle, who is sharing his powerful story of overcoming childhood trauma. Gehle, who endured years of abuse and neglect, has written a book titled Strength Beyond the Shadows, detailing his journey from pain to healing. He will speak at a public symposium at Perry Local Schools on Friday, May 16.
Organizers hope the event will encourage those who work with or support youth, as well as members of the community, to attend and be inspired by Gehle’s resilience.
The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Perry Local Schools, with doors opening at 8:30 a.m.
“What you're going through currently, you do not have to let that define you,” said Portia Smith, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio. “You can be whoever you want to be. You can get where you need to be, and you have support surrounding you — just like Seth mentioned in his book, that he had to depend on the community to get him where he's at now.”
The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Perry Local Schools, with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. Gehle will begin speaking at 9 a.m., followed by a question-and-answer session.
