It’s important for people living with mental health conditions to know that they are not alone. Sharing a story about your mental health challenges can help in your own recovery as well as offer encouragement and support to others with similar experiences. Sharing your story also helps promote understanding and empathy to those without mental illness.
NAMI has developed multiple presentations to help you in sharing your story in your community.
NAMI Ending the Silence is a presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff and parents or guardians of middle- or high-school-aged youth. Audiences learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to recognize the early warning signs and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs.
NAMI In Our Own Voice is a presentation for the general public to promote awareness of mental health conditions and recovery. This program is also available in Spanish, En Nuestra Propia Voz de NAMI.
NAMI Smarts for Advocacy is a hands-on advocacy training program that helps people living with mental illness, friends and family transform their passion and lived experience into skillful grassroots advocacy.
You have an authentic voice. You can make a difference for yourself and others by sharing your experiences and perspective.
You are not alone. Let others know they aren’t either.
Learn how to tell your story to create impact and drive change. Use the following steps to craft powerful content to inspire others, raise an issue and help your voice be heard.
Improve your skills by breaking down your story with this downloadable practice sheet. Talking about mental illness, stigma and recovery can give others hope and give you a voice to create change.
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
