Promise to Make a Difference

Promise to Make a Difference

From Scars to Stars™ Podcast by Deana Brown Mitchell

December 11, 2025 · 44 min · Episode 117

About this episode

John K. Bates shares his journey through multiple health crises and the promise that helped him find hope and healing.

In this Scars to Stars™ episode, John K. Bates opens up about surviving not just one, but multiple life-threatening health crises; first nearly dying from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and years later enduring a severe post-surgery infection that spiraled into clinical depression, anxiety, and akathisia. He shares candidly what it’s like to lose hope, to quietly consider ending it all, and to feel like joy and normalcy are gone forever. How one promise he made to “make a difference” and one person telling him, “You’re going to be okay,” helped him hold on. John’s story is a powerful reminder that our intuition matters, our pain is real, and that even in the darkest seasons, healing and purpose can return. This conversation is for anyone who has felt invisible inside their own struggle and needs to know, deeply, that they are not alone and that conversations truly can save lives.  #scarstostars #suicideprevention #mentalhealthawareness #conversations #community #personalstory #havetheconversation #savealifechallenge #virtualevents #amazonbestseller #suicideawareness #mentalhealthmatters #kindnessmatters #Stevens-JohnsonSyndrome #infection #depression #anxiety #akathisia

People in this episode

Host: Deana Brown Mitchell

Guest: John K. Bates

Topics covered

  • mental health
  • survival
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • healing
  • hope

Keywords

  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • akathisia
  • mental health awareness
  • suicide prevention
  • healing
  • hope

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Scars to Stars™ Podcast

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