Mental Health Stories

In Her Own Words

Stigma thrives in silence, and the lack of information breeds fear. We need to talk about what mental health challenges look like—humanize it.

Courtney’s Story
Deconstructing Stigma participant Brandon

Brandon

Deconstructing Stigma participant Andres - person in lab coat and scrubs sits on outdoor steps

Andrés

I sat in silence for so long. And that’s the last thing I want anyone else to do.
Participant Sara smiling

Sara

Participant Katie - person in black blazer and blue shirt smiling in front of greenery

Katie

Deconstructing Stigma participant Jessika - woman sits outside, shows wrist tattoo

Jessika

Participant Angi - person with long wavy hair and glasses wearing a black leather jacket and leaning against a stone building

Angi

Participant Travis - person with long dark hair sitting outside

Travis

Participant Tian - person with long dark hair outside, there are trees with lights in the background

Tian

It seemed like people would understand if I had the flu, but not if I was depressed.
Participant Natasha - person with short dark hair wearing a jean jacket

Natasha

Participant Veronique leaning on a wall smiling with arms folded

Veronique

Participant Shellye - person with long wavy blond hair smiling outside

Shellye

Participant Nieisha - person with dark curly hair smiling in front of the Boston skyline

Nieisha

Participant Marlena - person with brown hair and glasses posing with a camera in a forest

Marlena

Deconstructing Stigma participant Paul - person in blue hoodie perches in airplane cockpit

Paulie

Participant Yvonne - person with long hair wearing an orange shirt smiling in front of a window

Yvonne

Participant Winter - person with long blond hair smiling on a stairwell outside

Winter

Deconstructing Stigma participant Aza - person in black tshirt with text Aza Authenticity

Aza

Participant David - person with facial hair smiling in front of a light green wall

David

Participant Kyle - person with short brown hair in a grey sweater smiling and sitting on concrete steps

Kyle

Deconstructing Stigma participant Sampurna - person with curly dark hair poses for camera

Sampurna

Participant Robb wearing a red doctors scrub smiling

Robb

Participant Kitty - person with brown hair in front of a building

Kitty

Participant Pablo - person with long dark hair holding a guitar and leaning against a statue

Pablo

Participant Leslie - person with long dark hair smiling in a cushioned seat

Leslie

Deconstructing Stigma participant Yaqueen - portrait of person not looking up wearing green shirt and pinecone necklace

Yaqeen