Yes, that first time that you share your story. As a recovering alcoholic I thought that people would believe that my mental health issues were self-induced, that my experiences weren't somehow genuine. Telling your story at a 12-step meeting or in a SMART Recovery meeting is (normally) safe and won't go outside of the room. Putting your story into writing or having it broadcast on the radio, TV or recorded and available on YouTube for everyone to see and judge? That's a whole new ball game. When I was selected to be in the cast of the first ever This Is My Brave show to be performed outside of the USA, I was excited, but also apprehensive. My cast mates had some harrowing stories, mine seemed trivial by comparison. Knowing that the show would be recorded and available on YouTube was a scary thought. Yet, as you also experienced, there was no ridicule only support and "You've just told my story and given me the motivation to tell my story" reactions.
Recently, part of my story was recorded and published as a series of videos entitled the Network Effect. At the launch, I again felt like a bit of an imposter, but again received only positive feedback and someone has contacted the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network (ACTMHCN) to ask if I can contact them as they shared a similar toxic workplace experience.
I have used my lived experience in my volunteer work as a consumer representative on several ACT Health Directorate Committees, as a peer-educator at the ACT Recovery College and at the ACTMHCN and in my previous job, managing a mental health/drug & alcohol residential rehab facility.
I hope to be joining the Running for Resilience Friday morning runs soon as part of my preparation for the 2025 London Marathon and look forward to meeting others that are Running for Resilience.
Yes, that first time that you share your story. As a recovering alcoholic I thought that people would believe that my mental health issues were self-induced, that my experiences weren't somehow genuine. Telling your story at a 12-step meeting or in a SMART Recovery meeting is (normally) safe and won't go outside of the room. Putting your story into writing or having it broadcast on the radio, TV or recorded and available on YouTube for everyone to see and judge? That's a whole new ball game. When I was selected to be in the cast of the first ever This Is My Brave show to be performed outside of the USA, I was excited, but also apprehensive. My cast mates had some harrowing stories, mine seemed trivial by comparison. Knowing that the show would be recorded and available on YouTube was a scary thought. Yet, as you also experienced, there was no ridicule only support and "You've just told my story and given me the motivation to tell my story" reactions.
Recently, part of my story was recorded and published as a series of videos entitled the Network Effect. At the launch, I again felt like a bit of an imposter, but again received only positive feedback and someone has contacted the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network (ACTMHCN) to ask if I can contact them as they shared a similar toxic workplace experience.
I have used my lived experience in my volunteer work as a consumer representative on several ACT Health Directorate Committees, as a peer-educator at the ACT Recovery College and at the ACTMHCN and in my previous job, managing a mental health/drug & alcohol residential rehab facility.
I hope to be joining the Running for Resilience Friday morning runs soon as part of my preparation for the 2025 London Marathon and look forward to meeting others that are Running for Resilience.