I hope by sharing my experience of battling severe depression that others, particularly men, may gain a better understanding that mental illness is real, that it is common, and most importantly that it is treatable. I hope by sharing my story as the CEO of a company that others may realize that mental illness does not discriminate; that they may seek professional help if needed; that they may become more willing to share their mental health stories; and that we can make headway to end the stigma around mental illness.

Brian Murray is the Chief Executive Officer of Ryan Companies US, Inc., a national commercial real estate services company with expertise in designing, developing, constructing, financing, and managing commercial real estate properties. Before Ryan Companies he held financial roles at UnitedHealth Group and Arthur Andersen & Co.

He has personally battled depression in his life. Sadly, he has friends and extended family members who have tried or been successful in ending their struggle with mental illness through suicide. He is a champion of ending the stigma of mental illness, particularly among men, and willingly shares his own personal depression story with the goal of creating hope for others. He is a proponent of creating greater awareness in corporations of the signs of depression and anxiety, and strongly advocates that mental illness is real, common, and treatable. He and his wife, Shelly, live in Minneapolis and have three adult children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx