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
Participant Leo - person with short white hair standing next to a horse, the horse has colorful shapes painted on it

Leo

Participant Subrina - person with long dark hair wearing bright pink clothes and smiling in front of greenery

Subrina

I sat in silence for so long. And that’s the last thing I want anyone else to do.
Participant Mrinal - person with wavy brown hair smiling outside

Mrinal

Participant Jay - person with short brown hair sitting in front of a houseplant and a painting

Jay

Participant Thomas - person with short brown hair and glasses smiling in a hallway with red lighting

Thomas

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

Yaqeen

Participant Sandy - person with long wavy hair wearing a tank top

Sandy

Participant Carly - person with long auburn hair smiling and wearing a green graduation cap and gown

Carly

It seemed like people would understand if I had the flu, but not if I was depressed.
Participant Cynthia - person with dark curly hair sitting in a red chair and smiling

Cynthia

Participant Kelli - person in brown sweater in front of teal wall

Kelli

Participant Elsie - person with long blond hair wearing a dress in front of a painting and flowers

Elsie

Participant Meg - person with long blond hair smiling in front of a colorful painted wall

Meg

Participant Joe standing standing outside holding drumsticks

Joe

Deconstructing Stigma participant Shoshana - person hugs small dog outside

Shoshana

Participant Phyllis - person with long light brown hair smiling outside

Phyllis

Participant Ron - person in plaid shirt in front of doors

Ron

Participant Sawyer smiling

Sawyer

Participant Maria - person with dark hair tied back and wearing a blue tank top

Maria

Participant Elizabeth - person with long dark hair and glasses smiling outside

Elizabeth

Deconstructing Stigma participant Rebecca - Person stands outside with vivid flower bed behind

Rebecca

Participant Cali - person with long dark hair wearing black and smiling

Cali

Deconstructing Stigma participant Eitan - person sits outside green plants in the background

Eitan

Participant Lisa - person with short blond hair sitting in a chair

Lisa

Participant Sylvia sitting in a car wearing glasses

Sylvia

Participant Olga - person with short white hair wearing a blue shirt and smiling outside

Olga