We are sharing everyday stories by Everyday People. This past year, Thorne Harbour has been connecting with our community to showcase the diversity of our multicultural LGBTIQA+ and PLHIV communities, and take a look at the personal narratives of people’s experience with mental health. As people who come from non English speaking backgrounds, we connected to share the impact of migration stress, identity, and their connection to culture as a protective factor when thinking about good mental health – and how they have responded to periods of mental ill health.

This project, Everyday People, has centred the voices of our community first and foremost – sharing their stories in their chosen language, and made available in English also. We’re going to chat to three incredible community members who share their stories of mental health with us. If you’d like to hear their stories in full, head to everyday-people.au – and if you’re looking for ways to improve your own mental health or combat social isolation, check out the resource page for places you can get support that are affirming for you.

Michael spoke with Sasja, Boudie and Emil about their experience sharing their stories.

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples, Wurundjeri land, and Noongar Whadjuk land. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

This episode originally aired Thursday, August15 2024 on JOY.