In this episode of Behind the Smile with Vonnie Woodrick, we sit down with Miss Michigan Petite, Dez Durden — a behavioral therapist, mental health advocate, and founder of When Roses Bloom, a 24/7 mental health hotline born from her personal journey of healing.
What began as a self-published poetry book has evolved into a deeply impactful mental health resource. Dez personally answers every call that comes through the hotline, providing around-the-clock support to individuals navigating emotional distress, grief, and mental health challenges. Through this work, she has cultivated a compassionate community she affectionately refers to as her “Rosebuds.”
Dez opens up about the experiences that inspired When Roses Bloom, the realities of holding space for others while managing her own healing, and the importance of accessible, human-centered mental health care. She also shares her current journey to the national Miss Petite USA stage — and the resilience it has taken to keep going after her entire competition wardrobe was recently stolen.
This episode is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, something beautiful can bloom.
