This memory showed up in my Facebook memories this morning. Four years later and what, at the time was just weeks after my children’s book was first published, is still one of several events and interviews I’ve participated in that has felt most meaningful and purposeful to me.
I had been asked to be a panelist at this event at a local library called Community Conversations where I was to speak about Mental Illness and Stigma. In preparation for the event I was sent a series of 4 questions beforehand on the topic of stigma in which I would be asked to discuss in front of the group along with giving a short bio about my journey, followed up by a Q & A from the audience at the very end.
One by one each panelist discussed their views on (1) the harmful effects of the Stigma surrounding mental illness, (2) the most commonly held stereotypes about mentally ill people, (3) our strategies on how we as a society can help diminish the Stigma and (4) our thoughts on the important and urgent need for more access and funding to better educate the public about mental illness in order to increase understanding and empathy.
I still remember how anxious and overwhelmed I was all day leading up to the event, right up until I sat in my big, comfy chair waiting for it to begin. I sat there looking around the room as the other panelists and guests arrived one by one and the anxiety and overwhelm just kept building. My head filled with so many negative thoughts. I felt like I was going to explode!
I wanted to run. No amount of breathing or grounding exercises seemed to be slowing down what was going on inside my body and mind either, but then the Moderator started to introduce the panel of guest speakers and when I started to tell my story to a room full of strangers all my anxiety and overwhelm seemed to dissipate.
I remember feeling a sense of belonging and that by sharing my story and speaking from my heart on a topic I have grown to have so much passion and understanding for and knowing that I could possibly help someone in that room feel less alone, feel like it’s ok to not be ok or feel a sense of comfort from within their own community made all the anxiety and overwhelm all worthwhile.
Everyone in attendance had their own reason for being there. Some were mental health educators and professionals, some were mental health advocates, some were there looking for some guidance for their own mental wellness and some may have been there to seek advice on behalf of a loved one in need of support.
I met some truly wonderful people that evening, many of whom I have since collaborated on several other projects with.
But whatever everyone’s reason were for being there, they all had a story to tell, we all have a story to tell and we definitely need more evenings like this one so that more and more people can have a safe space to feel like they can start telling their own stories and know that someone is listening. I know I want to hear it; how about you?
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YouAreEnough 