Speaking Our Minds: A guide to how we use our stories

By Merinda Epstein & Flick Grey          [Download Resource]

‘This booklet provides an overview of storytelling from the perspective of people who have been diagnosed with ‘mental illness’ (in this booklet, we call ourselves ‘consumers’). …

This booklet is designed to support consumers getting the most out of these opportunities, without too great a cost to yourself.

Of course, people with a diagnosis of ‘mental illness’ do not all have the same views; we disagree with each other on many points. How you tell your story (and, indeed, whether and to whom and in what contexts you choose to tell your story) is entirely up to you. It is your story. In fact, as we explore in this booklet, you may have many stories, depending on the context, what message you want to convey or how you are feeling.

We know that you will find your own path – we offer this booklet in a spirit of “take what you like and leave the rest”.’

Key Content Areas:

• Laying the foundations
• Telling your story from a consumer perspective
• Knowing when to say no
• Storytelling settings
• Public speaking tips

Storytelling is both a craft and a gift.
Stories explore meaning and expand our thinking, often with enormous subtlety and skill. They can touch deep parts of our humanity. When developed with care and reflection, they can be incredibly powerful vehicles for communicating messages, and for changing the world