Hope Starts With Us Your Story Has Power Featuring Samantha Vittengl
Jan 14, 2026
Samantha Vittengl, Director of Public Relations at Maybelline New York and mental health advocate, discusses family experiences with bipolar disorder and how sharing personal stories can connect people. She talks about finding support through NAMI meetings, leading workplace conversations, and Maybelline’s Brave Together mental health programs. The conversation highlights caregiving strain, self-care practices, and sustaining hope.
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Growing Up With Bipolar In The Family
- Samantha grew up with bipolar disorder in her family, with her grandfather and father diagnosed and intense moments shaping her childhood.
- Her mother, a school counselor, encouraged open education so Samantha wrote a middle school paper on bipolar disorder to understand signs and limits of control.
Authentic Disclosure Sparks Workplace Connection
- Sharing a personal mental health story at work felt terrifying but became cathartic and created immediate connection with coworkers.
- Samantha's openness prompted colleagues to reach out with similar experiences, showing authenticity reduces isolation at work.
Finding Community Through NAMI Family To Family
- Samantha attended NAMI Family-to-Family meetings in Manhattan feeling isolated and found a table of people who understood caregiving struggles.
- Hearing others compare support for cancer versus mental illness crystallized how stigmatized mental health support is and reduced her sense of isolation.