Romania: I Got Better – Mental Health Recovery Stories

The proximal scope of the project is to empower individuals with mental illness to speak out about their illness. The distal scope of the project is to reduce mental illness stigma in the general public. To meet these aims, we propose to train five individuals with mental illness, proficient in computer and internet usage, to generate original and search engine-optimized content for a blog that will insightful present the individuals behind the derogatory labels and their recovery stories.

15 comments

  • Sebastian Bartos

    Good topic, can’t wait to read the stories. Are you thinking of a research component as well?

    • Alina Zlati

      Indeed, we plan to evaluate the impact sharing such stories has on those who write them, but also on those who read them. Our expectation is that those who write will feel empowered, and those who read will experience less stigma.

  • Paula Beudean

    Great idea! The stories of people with mental illness should be heard. If we can easily see how it is to live with illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, etc., we cannot even imagine what the life of a person with a mental illness is and what challenges he/she faces. I can’t wait to read their blogs and learn and understand more.

    • Alina Zlati

      We totally agree. Is hard if not impossible to imagine the hardships someone suffering from mental illness faces each and every day. Hopefully, this blog will do some justice to people suffering from mental illness, by accurately portraying their lives and experiences.

  • Roxana

    You might consider, in time, involving family members too, such as wifes who deal with equal amount of stigma plus the pain of the beloved one. Looking forward to read and maybe contribute, this project is a must and deserves best chances.

    • Alina Zlati

      Thank you for your input. Caregivers are an important piece of the puzzle and indeed, they are exposed to courtesy stigma. Initially, both individuals with mental illness and their caregivers were supposed to be trained to generate content for the blog. We realized however that it is better to start small and expend once the blog has reached a point of salience and requires new story tellers.

  • Maja Ixchel

    Hello,

    I’m a psychology student from Switzerland, currently writing my thesis and finishing my Master, so soon to be a psychologist. I wanted to congratulate you on this project, I find it important for people suffering from mental illness to be able to express it and for other people to hear their point of view in order to reduce stigma on mental illness. I also find it’s a good thing to complement the writings with motivational interviews and workshops, as well as physical training programs. I heard about this program from Timea, who wanted to write about what she’s going through even before this and I’m glad you’re giving her and other people these opportunity for expression. Am looking forward to read the blogs!

    • Alina Zlati

      I am glad to hear you support Timea. We would very much like to offer her opportunities to become an advocate for those suffering from mental illness. It is time people suffering from mental illness become active actors in the fight against mental illness stigma.

  • Alina Zlati

    I am glad to hear you support Timea. We would very much like to offer her opportunities to become an advocate for those suffering from mental illness. It is time people suffering from mental illness become active actors in the fight against mental illness stigma.

  • Anne Wallis

    Telling stories is powerful and provides real, tangible data. Sometimes the stories people can tell give us more vivid information about their lives, symptoms, and conditions than ‘hard’ diagnostic data. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this.

  • Gabriela

    Only the trainees will share their stories or also other people with mental health problems will be invited and/or encouraged to do so? If yes, how do you intend to collect the recovery stories?

    Great and interesting initiative, professionals empowering people with mental health problems. I like very much this approach and wish good luck to Open Minds with this initiative.

  • sorana potinteu

    This is a nice topic and a helpful project. Good luck!

  • Marius Ungureanu

    Congrats, Open Minds, for the initiative! I believe your proposal makes a strong case. I am happy to see support for a more participative role of people suffering from mental illness.

  • Diana Podar

    I think it’s a great idea!Stereotypes about mental illness must be challenged and it’s about time people suffering from mental disorders had their voices heard! Congratulations on the initiative- I’m sure it’s going to be a great success!

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