About Us

---

Jeff Cormier, founded Mental Wellness and Cosplay in the summer of 2024 with the goal of sharing practical mental health advice tailored specifically to the cosplay community. Originally conceptualized as focusing on presenting panels at local conventions, Jeff quickly realized he had more than just an hour’s worth of insights to share. This led to the launch of a social media campaign aimed at helping others through a combination of lived experience and extensive research.

Jeff began his cosplay journey in 2015 in memory of his six-year-old son, Xander, who adored superheroes. After Xander tragically passed away from a fatal asthma attack, cosplay became a powerful outlet for Jeff to process his grief, manage the anxiety and PTSD that followed, and give back to others. In those early years, his cosplaying efforts were dedicated primarily to charity work. One of his proudest moments came in 2016 when he was recognized as one of MARVEL.com's top 75 Captain America cosplayers during the celebration of Captain America's 75th anniversary.

Today, Jeff is a Certified Peer Supporter accredited by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. He also draws on his lived experience as a Disabled Veteran, having served six years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, to inform and strengthen his advocacy work. Over the years, Jeff has worked in private security, sales, and retail management, but his main focus has always been on helping others.

Tera, is one of the cofounders of Mental Wellness and Cosplay. Tera started with MW&C late November of 2024.Originally, they only created content on multiple social media platforms, but joined the team to fulfill a dream they’ve had since they began cosplaying.  

Tera began their cosplay journey in 2013. They had a few college friends suggest to them that it was something they would enjoy, so they went ahead and gave it a shot! Quickly, they discovered just how healing cosplay can be. They began to use it to cope with C-PTSD, anxiety, stress, and depression, then eventually used it to also express buried emotions and traumas. It wasn’t long before they decided they wanted to share with everyone just how therapeutic cosplay can be. Slowly, they started to make some motivational content on their own, however, they felt they needed to do something more. This later led them to joining with MW&C and has helped Tera fulfill that dream.

Today, Tera uses their Master’s in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), and their experience in the field of Public Health, government, and as a former AmeriCorps VISTA and Presidential Management Fellow (PMF finalist) to create and coordinate projects for MW&C. They are IRB certified, with additional training in Social and Behavioral Science research, and oversee the research carried out by the organization. One day, they hope to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) so they can expand the reach of MW&C to all communities as far as MW&C can possibly reach.   

Sam, is one of the cofounders of Mental Wellness and Cosplay. She joined Mental Wellness and Cosplay in December of 2024 to help expand its mission of supporting mental health in the cosplay community. A lifelong creative with an unshakable passion for fandom and self-expression, Sam has been cosplaying since 2007, finding joy in bringing characters to life and fostering connections with fellow fans.  

Sam attended the University of Akron, where she further developed her love for storytelling, creativity, and community building. For her, cosplay is more than just costumes—it’s a deeply personal and transformative experience. Through it, she has found strength, confidence, and a way to navigate challenges like anxiety, perfectionism and self-doubt. She firmly believes in the power of cosplay to uplift, heal, and create lasting friendships, and she is dedicated to sharing that message with others.  

Now, as a part of the MW&C team, Sam channels her passion into creating engaging content, supporting the community, and helping make conventions and fandom spaces more inclusive, supportive, and accessible for all. Whether she’s sharing her experiences, collaborating on MW&C projects, or encouraging others to embrace their creativity, Sam’s enthusiasm and dedication shines through in everything she does. She is committed to ensuring that cosplay remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone, no matter where they are on their journey.