From Silent Struggle to Powerful Purpose
by Scott Manningham MS LMHC and Illustrator Ruestasha Walker
The darkness was never meant to be erased. It was meant to be lit.
Bryce thought he was alone, until one phone call lit the first spark of change.
Light Up the Darkness is not just a story, it’s an invitation. Through the voice of one young man facing the shadows of depression, loss, and doubt, this book guides readers on a journey of self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal transformation.
In a world that often tells us to “just be positive” or “get over it,” this book offers something deeper:
The understanding that darkness is always around us, but so is our light.
We don’t escape the dark.
We illuminate it.
We don’t wait for hope.
We become it.
This is your moment.
Not just to move forward… but to move forward on purpose.
With clarity. With vision. With light.
Light Up The Darkness: From Silent Struggle to Powerful Purpose is more than just a book—it’s a movement. Told through vivid illustrations, honest reflections, and poetic storytelling, this immersive journey follows Bryce as he confronts his inner battles with depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. What begins as a descent into darkness becomes a powerful emergence into light.
Rooted in therapeutic principles and raw emotion, Light Up The Darkness speaks to anyone who has ever felt stuck, lost, or overwhelmed by life’s weight. With each chapter, readers are invited not only to witness Bryce’s transformation but to participate in their own—learning to recognize their pain, make peace with their truth, and move forward with intention.
This book is a mirror and a map. It challenges you to examine what you’ve been carrying and encourages you to set it down. It asks you to stop moving just for the sake of motion, and to start moving with purpose.
Because healing isn’t about escaping the darkness.
It’s about learning how to light it up.
Scott R Manningham MS, LMHC
Scott Manningham, MS, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, visionary educator, and founder of Talk2Me Unconventional Therapy. With a passion for transforming pain into purpose, Scott blends clinical expertise with storytelling, music, and creative expression to reach those often left in the shadows. Through his “Light Up the Darkness” initiative, he empowers youth and adults alike to confront their struggles, reclaim their identity, and walk boldly toward healing.
The Curriculum
by Scott Manningham MS LMHC and Jordan Sims LCSW
What if healing didn’t mean silencing the darkness… but learning how to light your way through it?
Light Up the Darkness is a powerful, soul-stirring journey through fear, anxiety, and emotional pain—told through words, images, and reflective exercises that speak directly to the reader’s heart.
In a world where it often feels like you’re expected to “just get over it,” this book invites you to slow down, look inward, and find your light—even when the world around you feels heavy.
Written by licensed mental health counselor Scott Manningham, this book blends poetry, storytelling, and therapeutic guidance to help you turn your silence into strength and your struggles into purpose.
You don’t need to erase the darkness.
You just need to learn how to shine through it.