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 Allie - person with long wavy hair smiling outside

Allie

Mary sitting with

Mary

I sat in silence for so long. And that’s the last thing I want anyone else to do.
Participant Abby is lying on the floor holding hands with her sister Mary

Abby

Participant Jeff - person with short curly brown hair smiling with a golden retriever outside

Jeff

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

Jessika

Participant Vicky sitting on the ground cross legged with her palms up

Vicky

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

Marlena

Deconstructing Stigma participant Steve - person in white shirt and black overcoat in front of white subway tile

Steve

It seemed like people would understand if I had the flu, but not if I was depressed.
Participant Chris smiling

Chris

Participant Jon is wearing a blue polo and smiling

Jon

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

Pablo

Deconstructing Stigma participant Shelly - Person in black shirt and long hair stands outside with greenery behind

Shelly

Participant Pata - person with long grey hair smiling outside

Pata

Participant Mrinal - person with wavy brown hair smiling outside

Mrinal

Participant Bob with glasses

Bob

Participant Stephanie - person with short brown hair wearing a green tank top smiling in front of a grey wall

Stephanie

Participant Mike - person with short white hair holding a golf club in front of fall foliage

Mike

Deconstructing Stigma participant Jessica - person sits and laughs on red outdoor chair

Jessica

Participant Ashley - person with long dark hair smiling and holding sheet music

Ashley

Participant Lisa - person with blond hair in a blue sweater sitting in front of a piano

Lisa

Participant Natasha - person with short dark hair wearing a jean jacket

Natasha

Participant April - woman with purple shirt, glasses

April

Deconstructing Stigma participant Leslie

Leslie

Participant Sylvia - person with long dark hair smiling in front of a fence outside

Sylvia

Participant Joanne - person with purple hair smiling in front of a colorfully painted wall

Joanne