The stigma long associated with mental illness is being altered in Clermont County as the result of one woman’s determination and the support of the mental health community.

Taressa Ingle is more than willing to share her story of learning to cope with her mental illness. She works part time with the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board and filled a need for a Depression Bipolar Support Group by starting one in Clermont County more than a year ago. The group meets from 1 – 3 p.m. each Saturday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, in Batavia.

“I grew up in a middle class family where dad worked and mom stayed home with myself and my two little brothers while we were young. Later mom got a part-time job but was always home to meet us when we got off the school bus,” said Ingle. “I graduated from high school in 1998 and attended college for a short time, but decided that college wasn’t for me and I got a job at a bank as a part time teller.”