My name is Darren LaBrecque from Bro-Hun Recovery Outreach and counseling advocacy for mental illness within the church. As for my “handicaps,” they are A.D.D, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Learning Disability, Cerebral Palsy-Scoliosis, and Depression. I came from an abusive alcoholic background where I was the brunt of my brothers and fathers’ jokes.
I was the stupid kid who would never amount to anything, but I beat the odds and did what most people would deem impossible. My father told me when I graduated High School at age 20; it took him long enough; I wish I never had a “retard” for a son. Life has always been a challenge for me, but I never gave up! My mom, my sister, and I moved to West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1986 and then to Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1987.
I worked many different jobs because of my disabilities, “which I was in denial of” got in the way. So I began drinking to cover my disabilities up. I became a “closet drinker” or “weekend drinker,” consuming in one day what most people consume an entire week. I met a girl and moved back to Massachusetts again, not keeping jobs for very long, and this continued while dating a few different girls until 1996 when I moved to Tennessee with an old friend. I lived in Tennessee from 1996 until 2003, moving to Connecticut in 2003 and back to Massachusetts in 2004 to live with my sister.
While living with my sister, I met and fell in love with Noel, who became my wife. I felt called to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness in the church too efficiently equip church leaders and fellow strugglers of psychological illness in proper communication and counseling skills.
I have accomplished writing and publishing a book, graduated college with a Bachelor’s in Theology & Biblical Application. I am ordained through the UECA, and I also got licensed with ICCM. My goal here is teaching you because we are not “stupid,” and we are not all “loony-birds”! My goal is to inspire others like me to find what they’re good at and succeed at it. I am also married to a beautiful wife named Noel, who supports me all the way.
Going to School and writing a book brought all my hidden issues to the forefront, forcing me to deal with them head-on. I am better for it as God has helped to grow into a leader for people like me. After putting it into a curriculum, I want to learn and teach the church how to communicate with those who struggle with mental illness. My curriculum will also help those who struggle with mental illness to interact with others like themselves and learn to counsel each other. I started a nonprofit mental health ministry for counseling recovery in Greenfield MA.