Owen Ashton
CPA
UT, USSmashing down barriers to rising above challenges
with humor, storytelling, and goodwill
"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." --Gandhi
At age 18, Owen was committed to a locked-down hospital psychiatric ward for major depressive episodes. His doctor treated his "temporary chemical imbalance" with three months of rest and strong psychotropic medications. Then, he threw him back into regular life "all fixed." Fifteen years later, an astute, loving wife recognized Owen's ongoing chronic mental health challenges, and encouraged him to begin counseling. That began a twenty-year wonderful journey of self-discovery and healing. He now considers himself in recovery.
Owen's book is a memoir of his poignant journey. He travels nationally to present to groups about how addressing mental health issues not only helps the individual, but also helps businesses and other organizations to be more focused, productive, and profitable. His humor and engaging storytelling together with is poignant insights delight, inform, and motivate audiences to rise to higher places.
- Featured author and presenter at Mental Health America's annual conference in Washington, D.C.
- Frequent presenter to business and professional groups
- Board of directors of NAMI Utah; Instructor of NAMI peer-led classes and support groups
- Past financial executive with AT&T, NEXTEL, and XO Communications in Los Angeles, New Jersey, Chicago, and Salt Lake City; CPA with KPMG and Deloitte
- Board of Directors of the National Speakers Association Mountain West Chapter
- Authored articles on emotional fitness and full engagement in the workplace in professional periodicals
Smashing down barriers to rising above challenges
with humor, storytelling, and goodwill
"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." --Gandhi
At age 18, Owen was committed to a locked-down hospital psychiatric ward for major depressive episodes. His doctor treated his "temporary chemical imbalance" with three months of rest and strong psychotropic medications. Then, he threw him back into regular life "all fixed." Fifteen years later, an astute, loving wife recognized Owen's ongoing chronic mental health challenges, and encouraged him to begin counseling. That began a twenty-year wonderful journey of self-discovery and healing. He now considers himself in recovery.
Owen's book is a memoir of his poignant journey. He travels nationally to present to groups about how addressing mental health issues not only helps the individual, but also helps businesses and other organizations to be more focused, productive, and profitable. His humor and engaging storytelling together with is poignant insights delight, inform, and motivate audiences to rise to higher places.
- Featured author and presenter at Mental Health America's annual conference in Washington, D.C.
- Frequent presenter to business and professional groups
- Board of directors of NAMI Utah; Instructor of NAMI peer-led classes and support groups
- Past financial executive with AT&T, NEXTEL, and XO Communications in Los Angeles, New Jersey, Chicago, and Salt Lake City; CPA with KPMG and Deloitte
- Board of Directors of the National Speakers Association Mountain West Chapter
- Authored articles on emotional fitness and full engagement in the workplace in professional periodicals
From Zero to Zorro: How You Can Be an Effective Mental Health Advocate to Change the World!
On the Couch with Owen Ashton: Insights for Psychotherapists on what Techniques Worked and Didn't
Lincoln, Churchill, Gandhi...You Also can be a Great Leader Because You Live with Mental Illness
How great leaders are effective because of mental illness--not despite it!
Improve your Organization's Bottom Line through the Talents of those Living with Mental Illness:
A CPA's perspective on how using the special talents of those living with mental illness can help your organization be more successful
