Becoming her brighter self: Drew’s TMS Story
- Sarah Waara
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Drew loves art. She loves making jewelry and gifting things to her family and friends. She loves her French Bulldog, and has a pet cat near and dear to her heart.
Drew is bright, positive and happy.
She didn’t always feel that way, though, and wasn’t sure if she ever would.
“I’ve struggled with my mental health since middle school, maybe even elementary school. It’s been part of my life for quite a while,” she shared. “I kind of lost hope for a while. I would feel a really dark depression, and it never seemed to go away.”
Drew tried numerous medications and treatments, but nothing seemed to help. That changed when a physician told her about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy during an inpatient stay at Ascension Mercy.
TMS is a non-invasive outpatient treatment that is used to help alleviate depression when other methods of treatment have not been successful. After creating a map of the brain and determining where the treatment is needed, individuals receive magnetic pulses to stimulate the area.
Drew’s sessions last around 20 minutes, and she’s accompanied by Autumn Bednarek, the TMS coordinator at Ascension Mercy.
“We first launched TMS at the hospital early in 2025, became operational in November 2025, and so far we’ve been able to help multiple patients,” Autumn said. “TMS is truly a difference maker for so many individuals. When other avenues have been exhausted, there is still hope for those going through difficult times.”
Drew first started noticing positive changes after the first few sessions. She felt brighter and happier, which was quickly evident to her mom.
TMS, she says, changed her life.
“I’ve been continuously feeling better throughout the treatment. As time goes on, I’ve noticed myself feeling brighter and my mom says the same,” Drew shared. “She’s noticed me having more motivation, getting things done and just feeling happier than I ever have.”
Currently a junior in college at UW-Oshkosh, Drew is working to obtain an art degree before going on to pursue a graduate degree in therapy. She hopes, one day, to help others through art therapy.
“TMS has changed my life for the better,” she shared. “I couldn’t be happier.”
