We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephanie Waltman. Check out our conversation below.
Stephanie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is wrangling my 3 children to school and their extracurricular activities. Between jujitsu, cheer, horses, and motorcycles I try to get in a few minutes of down time to relax and read a book. I joke that I have many full time jobs – I work full time, I’m a mom & wife, and I volunteer for AFSP.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Stephanie Waltman, and one of my titles is the co-chair for AFSP events in Galveston and a volunteer for mental health and suicide prevention in my community. With a deep commitment to fostering hope and connection, I bring both compassion and leadership to my advocacy work. What makes me unique is my ability to blend strategic thinking with heartfelt outreach – creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to speak openly about mental health.
At a recent AFSP Conference, I heard a powerful phrase: “Heart work is hard work.” That truly resonates with the mission we carry in Galveston. I’m committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. This work is personal, purposeful, and often challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. As a mom, I’m dedicated to helping our youth be more empowered to utilize resources available and find connection when they may be in the darkness and feel alone.
AFSP offers a wide range of free resources and programs designed to support individuals and families. My goal is to ensure that people in our community know these resources exist—so they’re empowered to reach out when they need help, or to support someone else who might be struggling.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
When I think about what breaks the bonds between people, it often comes down to disconnection – feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood. Mental health struggles and suicide can deepen that divide, especially when stigma keeps people from reaching out or sharing their pain. What restores those bonds is just as powerful: connection, compassion, and reflection.
Through my work with AFSP in Galveston, I’ve seen how open conversations, shared experiences, and community support can rebuild trust and foster healing. Reminding people that they are never truly alone.
AFSP is not a Christian organization, however as a believer, I know that restoration is possible through love and compassion. When we show up for one another, listen without judgment, and speak life into broken places, we reflect the heart of Christ. Scripture reminds us that we are called to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), and that’s what I strive to do in our community—especially when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention.
AFSP provides tools and spaces where people can come together, reflect on their journeys, and find strength in vulnerability. By acknowledging our past- both the pain and the progress – we create a path forward that’s rooted in empathy and hope. Our Galveston Island Out of the Darkness Campus Walk on 3/21/26 does just this.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
My journey has been shaped by hardship. For most of my life, I carried pain that felt too heavy to voice – growing up with one parent, navigating life with unseen challenges (dyslexia, body dysmorphia, anxiety, seasonal depression), and enduring psychological & physical abuse, seasons in foster care, a women’s shelter, and marital struggles to name a few. I felt unseen. I thought hiding these obstacles made me strong. I’ve learned that true strength comes from surrendering it to God and allowing Him to use the pain for purpose. Suffering refines us in ways success never will.
Pain taught me resilience. It taught me empathy, humility, and the power of connection. It gave me a voice to advocate for others who feel silenced and to help them see the light. Today, through my work with AFSP and my faith, I use that voice to bring hope, healing, and purpose to those walking through their own valleys. I hope to protect and empower my children to be the light for themselves and others.
When we step out of the dark and start sharing, we give others permission to heal too. Our scars become testimonies. Our suffering becomes power. Our Galveston Island Campus Walk, which is a part of AFSP’s Out of the Darkness walks, is focused on this. The event is on March 21, 2026, where we have a space for our community to join to raise awareness about mental health & suicide prevention, honor those affected by suicide, and promote mental health advocacy in the community. We have a welcome ceremony which includes announcements and keynote speakers, an honor bead ceremony, live music, assorted vendors, and a 5k walk along the Galveston Island (paved) seawall. We hope to see you there! More info at afsp.org/Galveston.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
God and my faith are so foundational to who I am that I often don’t even think to articulate them—they’re simply woven into everything I do. From the way I show up for others to the work I do with AFSP, my faith guides my steps, my decisions, and my heart. It’s the quiet strength behind my advocacy, the source of my smile & compassion, and the reason I believe in hope. Even in my darkest seasons, I’ve seen how God uses pain to build purpose, and I trust Him to continue using my story to bring light to others.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Because of the obstacles I’ve overcome, I’ve learned to approach life with deep humility and empathy. I know firsthand that people often suffer silently, and that what we see on the surface rarely tells the full story. That’s why I try to assume the best in others and lead with curiosity rather than judgment. Whether it’s through my work with AFSP or in everyday interactions, I believe in meeting people where they are, listening with intention, and offering grace. Everyone is carrying something, and sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply be present and open-hearted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://AFSP.org/Galveston
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afspgalveston?igsh=eXF1Z3luaWE1NTI1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-waltman-phr-shrm-cp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afspsetexas
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/Tpt8aDmFk5
Image Credits
Third eye media has their watermark on their pictures
