In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness Program

In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness is a recovery, education presentation given by trained consumer presenters for other consumers, family members, friends, professionals, students of all academic levels, and lay audiences.

A brief, yet comprehensive interactive presentation about mental illness – including video, personal testimony, and discussion enriches the audience’s understanding of how people with these serious disorders cope with the reality of their illnesses while recovering and reclaiming productive lives.

Philosophy of the Program:
In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness is dedicated to the support, education, and growth of consumers as presenters. The personal educational component of this program dispels many myths surrounding mental illnesses and will help reduce stigma as we openly talk about it. The mere fact that we are standing there helps reduce the myths surrounding mental illness. This reduces stigma as well.

The power of IOOV is based on the sharing of our journeys- our stories about living with mental illness. We give hope, we educate, we open minds, and we change attitudes. We help eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness.

A study has been completed by Dr. Otto Wahl and Dr. Amy Wood of George Mason University. Their research concluded with evidence that there is a significant decrease in stigma against mental illness among audience members after seeing the presentation.

In Our Own Voice: Living With Mental Illness was developed to provide a dialogue on the issues related to recovery from severe mental illnesses. The program is designed to provide a safe place for consumers to share the ups and downs of their recovery and learn from others. A trained consumer presenter leads the discussion. The program educates everyone about the ongoing recovery issues we face and the fulfilling lives that can be achieved.

Key Program Topics:
In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness is a practical tool to educate and increase awareness about the true nature of brain disorders, commonly known as mental illness. The presentation covers issues frequently faced by those dealing with severe mental illness:

· Dark Days – Recovery from a serious mental illness can be a long, difficult journey. The Dark Days portion of the presentation explores the feelings and experiences that the presenter went through during the darkest moments of living with a mental illness.

· Acceptance – Learning to accept the reality of having a serious mental illness is quite a challenge. It can be hard for anyone to come to terms with having a serious illness, no matter what it is. Acceptance is essential to beginning recovery. While sharing the period of acceptance, the presenter will explain how acceptance was achieved and the feelings and experiences that he/she went through along the way.

· Treatment – There are many methods for treating mental illness. Every person is different which is the reason that there are many ways to walk down the path to recovery. Presenters explain what treatment plan worked for them during this segment.

· Coping Strategies – Wellness can be achieved by following the treatment plan and incorporating coping skills as an integral part of that plan. Coping skills vary among persons living with mental illness. Some common coping skills are leading a balanced life, making time for leisure activities and rest, considering spiritual activities, developing healthy friendships, getting involved with community charity and finding ways to keep a sense of self awareness and acceptance.

· Successes, Hopes and Dreams - IOOV Presenters have a variety of skills and ambitions. A key component of recovery is setting goals while pursuing personal dreams. Many consumers incorporate what they’ve learned from their illness into the activities and plans for their future.

Why Consumers as Presenters:
Who better to talk about having a mental illness than those in recovery from a mental illness? Consumers are the experts in sharing their life experience. Consumers know what has and has not worked for them. No one knows better than a consumer about living with a mental illness.

Audiences will benefit from the presentation because it is a personal experience towards recovery. They learn, first hand, what it means to have a serious mental illness and how the recovery process works.

As a presenter, consumers may find it helps build self-esteem; they may become more educated about their illness and/or the illness of others; they may learn new coping strategies. There are a myriad of ways consumers can grow as an In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness presenter. The audience may also be supportive through showing interest by asking questions.

Every presenter is successful, oftentimes in many different ways. Recovery is a continuing process of growth. The presentation is about how to achieve and then stay in recovery from a major mental illness.

Consumers are essential to the message of the program because:

• All audiences learn first hand where recovery can bring us.
• We become role models of hope for other consumers and families
• We help eradicate the stigma of mental illness for lay and professional audiences.
• We educate everyone about the recovery process in the treatment of severe mental illnesses.
  

NAMI-NYS Affiliates with the In Our Own Voice Program: The following NAMI-NYS affiliates participate in the IOOV program. If you would like more to set up a presentation, please contact the affiliate directly.

To learn more about the IOOV program & consumer education in New York State,
please contact Rachel Greco at (800) 950-3228 or rgreco@naminys.org.