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.  Her mental health advocacy work includes drug addiction recovery programs, homeless shelters, firefighters, police officers, veterans, women’s prisons, and others. 

Oprah Winfrey graciously participated virtually in one of Sonja’s mental health book club discussions to inspire the women inmates at Central California Women’s Facility, the worlds largest women’s prison.

Sonja has been interviewed in all 50 states on local and national news, including CBS This Morning, about her personal struggles and triumphs with mental illness  She 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. Sonja has been an op-ed contributor in such publications as The Washington Post, The Hill, Ms. Magazine, Kevin M.D., NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness), Oprah Daily, and others.  She is a member of Newsweek Expert Forum.

Sonja has had the privilege of sharing her story and message of hope with millions of people.