Local nonprofit leader’s new book encourages discussions about mental health

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Local nonprofit leader Demetrius Chance's new book uses the difficult experiences and lessons in his own journey to encourage mental health.

Chance said the book entitled 'Scars: Letting the Wounds Heal,' was 18 years in the making. Given that Chance is only 34, the journey covers much of his life.

The book is a timeline of the struggles he encountered in his teen years that include positive experiences like the beginning of his faith journey to traumatic experiences like the abuse he suffered in his childhood.

"In the beginning, the book was more therapeutic -- a way for me to start hashing out the mental battles I was experiencing," Chance said. "Through the years, I realized these experiences were things I was able to use to help others experiencing similar circumstances."

Divorce, homelessness and diagnosed mental health issues also became a part of the story.

According to the book, there were times when these could have been the end for him. Instead, Chance said he discovered a strength through the unknown and used his healing and growth as a resource for others.

"One of the hardest things I learned in this process of writing...was that it is hard to live life in isolation," Chance said.

Chance started Diversed Perspectives, a ministry that networks with mental health and social service organizations to inspire and mentor young adults.

Since its inception, the nonprofit has developed strong connections with youth organizations in the community and has allowed Chance to mentor younger people through speaking and one-on-one accountability. He even went back to college and will finish with his degree in social work in December 2025 at Missouri Western State University.

"Missouri Western's program has been a big help to me and to the organization I am part of," Chance said. "The program has allowed me to give a voice not only to my experiences, but to approaches to helping others in the future."

The book contains over 250 pages and over 40 chapters. Each chapter walks through one phase or key experience of his life and is followed by a direct reflection on lessons learned.

Chance said he hopes the format will make it easier for the book to be more than an autobiography. He wants it to be a discussion starter that helps eliminate the stigmas associated with abuse, mental illness and struggle.