'A miracle

TIFFIN --- Tiffin resident Cory Banks has the desire to help others when it comes to the topic of mental health. Banks, who is a proud father and football coach, had a life-changing experience that he is using to teach and aid other individuals who may relate to his situation. In mid-January, Banks found himself in a coma after a suicide attempt as a result of his ongoing battle with anxiety and depression. Like Banks, many others from near and far have dealt with the experience of having mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions within the U.S. and are also a national issue that has sparked many across the globe to help others by using their own experiences and resources. Banks is one of those individuals who is choosing to use his experience as a lesson for others and has recently spoken out about his own mental health and his goals for creating awareness. For 16 days, Banks was in an induced coma with no liver or kidney function. He was initially taken to Mercy Health-Tiffin Hospital, then transported to Saint Vincent's and eventually the Cleveland Clinic. On March 7, Banks was finally able to walk out of the hospital doors and come home. Although life has been a little different since this experience, Banks wants to use this "wake-up call" to help other people in need, especially youths. Banks has been a youth football coach for nine years, and head coaching for four years, where he inspires his teams to find their potential and grow as both individuals and team players. He initially started coaching when his son, Dawson Banks, first joined football. Banks' football teams have won three championships altogether under his guidance. He expressed he has also always been a huge supporter of his daughter, Jada Banks, with her cheer and dance teams. Through these experiences, Banks found his passion for inspiring and encouraging youths. "That's the most beautiful thing about coaching," Banks said. "Seeing them not know their potential, and bringing that out and seeing the joy that they got out of their potential." Banks said he has encountered many students on his football teams who have struggled with similar mental health issues and has helped them find their strengths and open up to others. Banks said he enjoys watching them grow as he provides them with positivity and help when they need it. He said he has watched some of his football players change in front of his eyes after receiving structured discipline, and having a support system within the football team itself and within Banks. Banks explained that he has always felt the ability to put himself in someone else's shoes and help assess situations. He said that he wants people to know that they are not alone with their mental battles and that he is a resource. Banks explained that he wants to go around to local venues such as schools and tell his story, and advocate for mental health awareness among youths. Banks said because youths are in the main stages of brain development, he wants to target them the most. "I don't come from the classic married family and white picket fence," Banks explained, noting he faced hardships growing up that have shaped him into the person he is today. "Survival instincts have been installed in me since I was a little kid." With his background and life experience, Banks said his goal is to help people learn how to handle their mental health issues the correct way, such as seeking resources and asking for help. Additionally, Banks said he is heavily inspired by his late grandmother, who also worked with youths by teaching students at Seneca East Local Schools and operating a daycare center. Banks said the doctors explained it was "a miracle" for him to have survived the incident. At this moment, Banks said he felt his grandmother was guiding him, as she was his first thought when he woke up. Being given this chance, Banks said he wants to use his story to help others and go on to live a life where he can positively influence people–even if it's just one person. "I'm so youth-driven because I feel like we shape their souls," he explained. "I want to catch them and get them on the right track." As Banks continues his process of healing through quality time with his family, physical therapy and psychotherapy, he plans to get stronger and healthier to get back out into the community and stand behind the youths. "It's amazing—the outpouring of support and the lives I've touched within this community," Banks said, adding that his family and the local community have lifted him up along the way.