Amy Buss holds a MS degree from Eastern Illinois University in Environmental Sciences and has found healing in nature. Her smile comes from her mantra “Be the sunshine when you can’t find the sunshine.” When asked if she wanted to be a board member for the newfound nonprofit, Mental Health Matters Fund, she proudly and without reservation said “yes.”


Amy has worked in landscape and floral design, preschool education in the Sunshine and Rainbows program at the Joliet Park District, the Inwood Golf Club and continues to be a dedicated substitute teacher for Troy 30c. However, her true happiness has always been found in helping others. Her various jobs were chosen intentionally so that she could serve in her real job: becoming a mom and raising three children with her high school sweetheart.


In 2020, Amy’s plans did not include the realm of understanding mental health illnesses and how addiction plays into the role of masking the root of what one is internally battling everyday. Her oldest son, was her sole focus as he openly admitted that he needed help for sleep deprivation due to anxiety and depression. The family dynamic was altered from what was thought to be “normal and near-perfect” to unraveling chaos and fear. Trying to help him navigate behavioral health programs, treatment centers and detox facilities while seeking therapy/counseling took center stage. Researching medications and genetic testing became her mission as he expressed how he still was experiencing symptoms while on so many prescriptions. Solely relying on medical professionals while feeling alone and overwhelmed, she refrained from questioning the care he received as a young adult. She wanted to trust that he was receiving excellent care and that he deserved to. While in continuous treatment, he suddenly passed away from an accidental overdose at age 21.



Since her son’s death, Amy and her family have embraced the help they continue to receive from counseling, grief support, meetings and service. She has slowly begun to sit with her grief and mourn. Amy strongly believes that by finding her voice and expressing her tears for him it honors him and aids in her personal healing. Her lived experience has brought her to countless 12 step meetings to re-establish her belief in spirituality. She has attended a number of Open Meetings and Community Support Groups listening, learning and also being asked to speak. Her hope is to bridge the gap between individuals seeking continual medical care and researchers studying gene drug interactions so that everyone can have knowledge and access to Genesight.



Amy receives help without shame because this life journey is one she cannot do alone. Her big heart and willingness to share her story acts as a catalyst for others to share theirs. She knows Mental Illness is not a choice and she feels dignity and empathy can be found from forums and education for understanding and caring for loved ones who suffer. Amy believes it takes effort and collaboration from an entire community to potentially save and impact one’s life. Talking about the secret family history of mental health will foster in breaking through a barrier of guilt and stigma. Her son, had a true heart to connect others and she now embraces the work to strengthen and repair her broken family while encouraging others to strive for better. Amy holds onto treasured memories and with much gratitude envisions a thriving community with services and monies provided from the Mental Health Matters Fund.