Founder

Hello, my name is Chandler Groce, and I am a proud Washingtonian currently residing in Auburn, Washington. I began advocating for mental health awareness in 2025, during my journey as a candidate for Miss Auburn 2025.

As the founder of the Evergreen Psychosis Network, I am committed to amplifying the voices of individuals living with psychosis, reducing stigma, and fostering understanding across our communities. Our work is rooted in Washington State, with the goal of creating meaningful impact and building a model that can inspire broader advocacy in the future.

Through this foundation, we provide educational resources, community engagement, and support initiatives to empower those affected by psychosis and promote awareness.

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17 (pictured), then later with schizoaffective-bipolar type two years later. I actually grew up in the Appalachian mountain region, and moved to Washington in 2023 in search of better healthcare. Washington offered me something I had been longing for, access to compassionate providers, coordinated specialty care, and a system that genuinely tries to support people living with serious mental illness. I am deeply grateful for the care I received here; it changed my life in ways I never expected and allowed me to stabilize, thrive, and rediscover my voice as an advocate.

But even in a state as forward-thinking as Washington, there is always room to grow. Too many people still wait months for services, too many families don’t know where to turn, and too much of the public still relies on outdated or stigmatizing ideas about psychosis. The gaps in health education, early intervention, and community understanding become even more visible when you’ve lived the experience yourself.

My journey taught me that good healthcare can be transformative, but great healthcare requires community engagement, accessible education, and systems that continue to evolve. That is why I speak up. That is why I create resources. And that is why I continue advocating here in Washington: because this state gave me a chance to heal, and I want every person living with psychosis to feel that same sense of safety, dignity, and possibility.

---