In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness
Learn about Mental Illness from People Who Have Been There
In Our Own Voice is a recovery education presentation given by trained consumer presenters. A brief, yet comprehensive interactive presentation about mental illness - including video, personal testimony, and discussion - enriches the audience's understanding of how people with these serious disorders cope with the reality of their illness while recovering and reclaiming productive lives with meaning and dignity.
The program offers an opportunity for consumers to gain self-confidence and self-esteem while serving as role models for the community. It is living proof that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and that recovery is an ongoing reality. The speakers are outstanding messengers to the community, carrying (and demonstrating just by their presence) the message that people with mental illness get well and stay well, achieve goals, deal with stigma - and here is what helps and what hurts us in our recovery journey.
The presentations are about hope, recovery, and stigma.
- Hear from people who have struggled with disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and other severe mental illnesses. These presenters offer insight and hope by their example and testimonials of their experiences.
- The brief video features consumers speaking about the topics of Dark Days, Acceptance, Medications, Coping Skills, Successes, and Hopes and Dreams.
- The presenters also provide opportunity for discussion about each section to enrich the audience's understanding of living with mental illness.
The Audience:
- Any community or civic organization. that may be interested in learning more about mental illnesses and recovery.
- Health care providers. who desire strengthened communication with their clients and improved outcomes.
- Law enforcement officials. to increase awareness of and sensitivity to behaviors triggered by mental illness.
- Faith communities. to increase responsiveness to people with mental illnesses who may first turn to their spiritual community for guidance.
- Students. of various age levels, who wish to expand their knowledge of living with mental illness.
- Consumers. in day programs, inpatient settings, support groups, and other community settings who can share, learn, and find hope for successful living.
- Family and friends. who may need further reassurance of the possibility of recovery for their loved ones.
Program Goals:
- To meet the need for consumer-run education initiatives
- To set a standard for quality education about mental illness from those who have been there
- To offer genuine work opportunities for consumers
- To encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in presenters
- To focus on recovery and the message of hope
Presenter Training:
- Presenters are people who have overcome great obstacles against great odds, and are now living succesful lives, achieving their goals. They've chosen to help spread the word that people with severe mental illness get well and stay well. They give people information about recovery, and also inspiration and hope.
- During the training, presenters will practice telling their personal stories, develop facilitation skills, develop story points that will be relevant and meaningful to specific audiences, and develop a professional presentation that they could take to their communities.
To Schedule a Presentation for your group or to get more information about "In Our Own Voice," contact Ken Braiterman, In Our Own Voice Coordinator, at the NAMI-NH office, or e-mail KBraiterman@naminh.org.
