Paden Ferguson

Member / Fulcrum

“It’s okay to not be okay.”

These words have been pivotal in my own mental health journey. I had a moment of crisis in my childhood but was afraid to find help. As a young male, the pressure from societal norms to “suck it up” and the idea that “boys don’t cry” kept me from sharing how I felt inside.

I was introduced to Counseling and Recovery Services of Oklahoma by a current board member. As soon as I learned about it, I instantly felt like I had to be a part of it. The mission of CRSOK is ‘Building better lives and promoting personal dignity within our community through integrated wellness, behavioral health and substance abuse services – inclusive and accessible to all.’

Thankfully, my mom was able to get me the help I needed when I needed it most. However, not everyone is as fortunate. I want to help CRSOK further their mission. I believe my own personal experience will help me achieve this and make an impact on our community.

Today, my life looks a lot different!  I am focused on growing my family, I had an amazing college experience at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!), I have been lucky enough to land a job where I can work from home to better support my family (Fulcrum),, and I have 3 energetic golden retrievers. None of this would have been possible if I had not gotten the help I needed when I needed it most. It means a lot to me to be in a position where I can help others and make a true impact on the lives of those in my community.