The strength of sharing lived experience, and how to do it safely
“Shame dies when stories are told in safe places.” – Ann Voskamp
Sharing your experience of mental illness is an incredibly brave thing to do; it can also be scary as hell.
There are few things as important in the fight to normalise mental health as talking openly from personal experience; this simple, courageous act is a sledgehammer to the stigma that stubbornly surrounds the topic of mental illness in workplaces; homes; society at large.
A true act of revolution, storytelling offers others a beacon of hope: I’m not alone. It’s not just me. Somebody else feels these things, too. Maybe I’m not so crazy, after all. Or maybe we’re all a little crazy. But, I’m not alone.
I’m. Not. Alone.
Peer support creates belonging
Understanding your own mental illness is a powerful thing; discovering that other people live with those big feelings too is lifechanging.
Whether you’re sharing hopeful stories of recovery, documenting how you’re managing to live with a lifelong mental illness, or delving into your deepest, darkest moments, what you’re offering people is connection. Connection, when they feel isolated; strange; alone.
Storytelling can also be incredibly healing for the person doing the sharing; a much-needed cathartic release, that in turn creates its own form of connection with the wider world. You’re no longer hiding in the shadows, but owning every facet of what makes you, you – for all the world to see.
It’s brave, it’s rewarding, and its crucial; it can also be hella triggering.
Protecting your own wellbeing
When dealing with matters of mental health, it’s important to go in with eyes wide open. So here’s the thing: once you’ve shared your story, you might feel a bit low for a few days.
I’ve lived with GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) for most of my life, and can talk about it ‘til the cows come home, with absolutely no fallout. When I speak out about my experience with postnatal depression, or the labour experience that gave me PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), I don’t do too well. I share my story when I can, because I know it could help other people (learning that I wasn’t the only new mum to be plagued by intrusive thoughts was a total game-changer in my recovery), but I do so knowing that I’ll feel pretty low afterwards.
And that’s why those of us with lived experience would never judge anyone who chose to keep their journey to themselves: sharing isn’t for everyone; nor does it have to be. But if you would like to speak out, here are a few things to think about:
Make time for self-care: Whether you’re planning to record a ‘this is me’ video, share your story at work, or make a recording for LinkedIn, it helps to come at it from a healthy place; so dedicate the preceding days to caring for your own wellbeing – whatever that looks like to you.
Clear some space in your diary: When you share a personal experience, people will likely reach out; they might want to thank you, ask questions, or share their own journey. You shouldn’t feel personal responsibility, or feel you have to help everyone, but it’s important to acknowledge anyone who gets in touch with you.
Don’t worry if no one reaches out: Not hearing from someone about how you’ve helped, doesn’t mean you haven’t helped. Be proud that you’re speaking out, and that your bravery will be making waves – even if you don’t see feedback straight away.
If you’re a business leader encouraging employees to share stories in a workplace, do make sure help and support are available; wellbeing always comes first.
Storytelling tips:
Speaking openly about our mental health journey can be incredibly healing
Offer stories of hope and recovery to support others living with mental illness.
When sharing lived experience, clear time in your diary to deal with responses.
Before talking about your mental health, take steps to care for and protect your own wellbeing.
Speak from a place of truth, and be proud to own who you are.
“Shame dies when stories are told in safe places.” – Ann Voskamp
A true act of revolution, storytelling offers others a beacon of hope.
Understanding your own mental illness is a powerful thing; discovering that other people live with those big feelings too is life-changing.
Make sure help and support are available before encouraging employees to talk about their mental health.
Finding a platform
There are some fantastic movements that have been set up to help people find their voice, such as the ‘This is Me’ campaign, which aims to challenge perceptions of mental health in the workplace by encouraging employees to share their stories.
There’s also the InsideOut LeaderBoard: a social enterprise that invites senior leaders to share their stories so that employees feel more comfortable speaking out about mental ill-health. And the Stability Network, which is changing the way we talk about mental health, one story at a time.
We’ll get there, together. Through initiatives, campaigns, groups, awareness days, videos, podcasts, blogs and community efforts, the work of mental health campaigners will one day be obsolete.
And that’s the world we all dream of.
Article by Emma Attenborough-Sergeant, The Wellness Writer.
With a passion for mental health and wellbeing, Emma set up The Wellness Writer to help leaders and organisations improve culture and engagement through relatable wellness content.