Untold Stories |
Share your story
Untold Stories is a lived experience storytelling project where ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç students and staff share their personal experiences and journey to recovery to help and inspire others going through similar experiences.
Stories capture our attention.ÌýThey have the power to change how we think and feel. They are the narrative that shape our understanding of the world. They can help us learn about common experiences and can make us feel less isolated and alone.ÌýIn some cases,Ìýshared storiesÌýmay even encourageÌýa personÌýto seek help.
Stories have the power to uplift us, to make us laugh, make us cryÌý–Ìýcollectively they have the power to create change.
Stories capture our attention.ÌýThey have the power to change how we think and feel. They are the narrative that shape our understanding of the world. They can help us learn about common experiences and can make us feel less isolated and alone.ÌýIn some cases,Ìýshared storiesÌýmay even encourageÌýa personÌýto seek help.
Stories have the power to uplift us, to make us laugh, make us cryÌý–Ìýcollectively they have the power to create change.Ìý
Do you have a story about facing or overcoming a mental health challenge you would like to share?ÌýWe’dÌýlove to hear it. Stories can include:Ìý
- Your ownÌýexperiencing of living with or overcoming mental health challenges
- Your lived experience supporting someone else who has experienced a mental health challenge
This project is ongoing, where expressions of interest are accepted all year.
Why should I get involved?
- Become more confidentÌýand empoweredÌýto talkÌýabout your own experiences, whichÌýcanÌýsupport your wellbeingÌýand the wellbeing of those who hear your story
- SharingÌýyour lived experience of mental ill-health can help reduce stigmaÌýand normalise mental health problems. It canÌýgive others a greater understanding of living with mental ill-health
- You’reÌýsupported byÌýtrained staffÌýwith trust,ÌýsafetyÌýand respect
- This programÌýincludes building skills in the storytelling process, public-speaking,Ìýand one-on-one mentoring
- Potential opportunity to be part of the Untold Stories Exhibition or other projects in the future.Ìý
What’sÌýthe process?Ìý
Step 1: Complete theÌýÌýwithÌýa short summaryÌýof your story you wish to share
Step 2: Have a confidential call with a member of ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Psychology and Wellness to discuss your story and suitability for the program.
Step 3: Attend the training day, scheduled when various EOIs have been received.Ìý
Step 4: Attend one to one coaching with a member of the training team
Step 5: Share your story to inspire other students and give hope for recovery.
Training
Training is delivered face to face over one day at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ.ÌýYou’llÌýlearn about the story boarding process, what isÌýappropriate toÌýshare and how to respond to questions and feedback.ÌýFrom there, you canÌýreview your story.ÌýÌý
You will have the opportunity to practiceÌýpresentingÌýitÌýwith a partner and withÌýothers in the program.
You’llÌýgetÌýaccess to one-to-one coaching sessions which will help you tweak and finalise your stories, build your confidence in speaking in public and on camera.ÌýÌý
In any case, weÌýwill work with youÌýtoÌýrefine theÌýstoryÌýyou write, e.g.Ìýspelling/grammar, conciseness, to suit how it will be used,ÌýorÌýfor your privacy and safety.Ìý
How will my story be used?
This program is about sharing real stories from real people.ÌýThrough this program, you may choose to onlyÌýparticipateÌýfor your own personal development and to feel confident in sharing your live experiences. After this program, you could use this experience to share your story at public events by your discretion.
Untold Stories Exhibition
This exhibition isÌýpubliclyÌýavailable online. The physical exhibitionÌýfeatures some of these stories andÌýdisplayed across ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Kensington and Paddington campuses and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç College campusÌýonce a year, usually during Mental Health Month in October.Ìý
There is no guarantee thatÌýsubmittedÌýstories will be published but they will all be read. We will let you know if we intend to share your story and confirm with youÌýifÌýyou are comfortable with it being shared.
Photographs
If yourÌýstory is featured in the exhibition, aÌýprofessional photographer will take a photograph of you to sit alongside your story. This photograph willÌýrepresentÌýyour story but does not have to show your face if you choose for your story to be anonymous.
The professional photo shoot will occur during a time and location convenient to the photographer and yourself (likely ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Kensington campus). You will be given a digital copy of the photograph usedÌýas part of this project.Ìý
