Telling Tales

Sara shares her #metoo story in a powerful spoken word piece.

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Sara, a write, spoken word poet, and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Kim shares her struggles with addiction and the scars you collect when living with a mental health condition. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Kim, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Justin shares his personal story of living with Schizophrenia. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Justin, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Deidre shares how her faith has helped in her mental health journey. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Deidre, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Meredith shares what she wishes people knew about mental illness and insight into her own personal journey of living with a mental illness. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Meredith, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Jamie shares a love story and what it's like to be "on both sides of the rope" while having bipolar.

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills.

The following story is told by Jamie, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.

Keith shares what it's like to live and write with anxiety and depression. Listen and get to know how others can be allies to him and those like him. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills. 

The following story is told by Keith, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn. 

Riffat is a young man with a lot of questions. He is the only one who can define himself. Listen and get to know Riffat as he shares his struggles with mental health. 

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is helping emerging writers find their voice and write their truth. MHC works with young adult writers, ages 18-29, who are diagnosed with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder (or who have experienced trauma and live with mental health and/or substance use challenges), and who want to become powerful storytellers and self-advocates. Participants will advance their writing skills, learn how to use writing as a healing mechanism, and educate the community on the realities of living with trauma and/or a mental health diagnosis. Writers also work with the award-winning team at Sea Tea Improv to gain confidence and improve public speaking skills. 

The following story is told by Riffat, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn. 

Saley shares her “struggle analysis” and gives hope to those on their journey towards wellness.

The following story is told by Saley, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn. 

Paolo knows the best time to dance is 10:38 while doing the dishes. Join him on this dance as he shares an emotional piece.

The following story is told by Paolo, a writer and mental health advocate from MHC's Write On! program. This story is raw, personal, and may contain language not suitable for all listeners. To view this in video format (with captions) visit www.mhconn.org/WriteOn.