Kevin Mannix. This man's name is synonymous with the weather for Mainers. Mannix was the WCSH Channel 6 weather forecaster for 26 years. Always smiling, always so personable during every TV segment. Little did anyone in the audience realize that Mannix was battling feelings of shame and of poor self-esteem and suffering from depression.

At the Jan. 15 Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library's Literary Luncheon, Mannix talked about his life's journey as the adult child of an alcoholic as related in “Weathering Shame: A Personal Journey of Shame and Stigma,” written with his wife, Linda Rota.

Rota, a social worker, was scheduled to be with Mannix, but was unable to make it at the last minute.

Mannix shared his story, the abbreviated version: He grew up with an alcoholic father where verbal and physical abuse was common. It was a Boston home in which boy Kevin learned he was incapable of doing anything. His mother was always yelling at him and he learned that he wasn't good enough.

“It's scary to have someone hollering at you all of the time. It was chaos in my house,” Mannix said. “I would run outside when my parents were fighting, lay on the ground and watch the clouds. I had a meteorologist's map from an organization called, “For Spacious Skies” (created by Boston reporter Jack Border) that hung in my room … I learned a lot about the weather and clouds out of the chaos of growing up.”

Because of the significance of those outdoor moments, and years as a meteorologist, all of the chapters in the book have weather-related titles.

Mannix said he achieved success in his 30s and 40s, but in his 50s, he “hit bottom” and decided he was going to “have to figure things out.”

“I had a short fuse and was grumpy and cranky off-camera,” Mannix said. “The gang at Channel 6 have noticed the difference in me. They tell me I seem so much happier … and that's compassion.”

Rota had to grow up without a mother as of age seven when her mother committed suicide. Rota’s mother had also tried to kill Rota's brothers several times. Mannix explained that his wife's father was from Italy where family matters were to be kept private. You didn't talk about mental illness, especially not outside the family.

Rota, Mannix said, got help earlier than he did, grew up, served in the Peace Corps and became a social worker. But as with any traumatic experience, pain lingers.

Mannix said that when his wife first suggested they write a book (in 2013) about the stigma attached to mental illnesses and the shame that stigma causes those who suffer from it, he wasn't interested.

“I thought people could care less,” Mannix said.

It was Rota's book suggestion that became the impetus for “Kevin's Story,” broadcast and published on the Channel 6 website, just two years before Mannix left Channel 6 to write this book. “Kevin's Story” was part of a public service campaign at the time about mental illness.

Mannix was frank when he talked about his now 12-year journey of emotional healing and told everyone present that it's not easy. He shared how the experiences of his childhood went on to impact his relationship with his sons.

“Kevin's Story” was the beginning of Mannix's opening up about the shame he carried being an ACOA and the time spent in counseling. And he hears from people, to this day, who were moved to get help because of his coming forward, including the morning of the literary luncheon.

Mannix said a man came in to buy a book. “He told me that he wouldn't be here if it weren't for 'Kevin's Story.'”

At the literary luncheon, attended by approximately 45 people, Kevin passed out comments written by Mainers about “Kevin's Story,” some of which were read aloud by attendees.

“We all have a story and so many of us hold it inside and let it control our lives,” wrote one person whose comment was read aloud.

There was also a question-and-answer session before the book-signing. Audience members commended and thanked Mannix for his (and his wife's) willingness to share their stories. Some in the audience shared their own experiences and received applause in empathy and support of their efforts to come to terms with their life experiences.

This husband and wife team have recently been asked to speak in some schools around the state to talk about stigma and shame, including at Fort Fairfield this week.

“I think if we can make the kids aware, that will be most helpful,” Mannix said, adding that one time, when the cops came to the house due to one of his father's “violent episodes,” one of the officers found him outside.

“He said, ‘Your dad works hard. He deserves a drink once in a while.’ I wish someone had taken me aside then and said, it's not OK.

“It was confusing for me growing up because when my dad was sober we went places — Fenway Park a lot and the St. Patrick's Day Parade.”

“Journeys can start any time,” said Mannix. “It's never too early and it's never too late.”

“Weathering Shame: A Personal Journey of Shame and Stigma,” is available in paperback on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit the book’s Facebook page.