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“Getting better at getting better”: How Sharing Mental Health Stories Can Shape Young People’s Wellbeing

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Abstract

Sharing lived-experience of mental ill-health is increasingly recognised as a promising youth mental health intervention. batyr is a preventative mental health organization that trains young people to share their story of mental ill-health safely through a speaker development program. This qualitative study aimed to understand how the role of batyr speakers shapes individual wellbeing, help-seeking behaviour, and stigma as well as how young people talk about mental health within their social circles. Data was collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 batyr speakers (age 18–35 years). Thematic analysis revealed five themes: Getting better at getting better, Growing towards self-acceptance, Breaking the wall by talking about mental health, Increasing connectedness and Reaching out for support. The participants reported overall improved wellbeing, as a result of increased confidence, greater self-awareness, and an increased ability to talk safely about their mental illness. Findings suggested that the program led to a reduction of self-stigma and stigma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Griffith University, Parklands drive, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia

    Genesis Lindstrom & Ernesta Sofija

  2. batyr, The Dax Centre, Kenneth Myer Building, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia

    Tom Riley

Authors
  1. Genesis Lindstrom
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  2. Ernesta Sofija
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  3. Tom Riley
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Correspondence to Genesis Lindstrom.

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All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were approved by the institutional research ethics committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. All authors certify their responsibility for this manuscript.

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Lindstrom, G., Sofija, E. & Riley, T. “Getting better at getting better”: How Sharing Mental Health Stories Can Shape Young People’s Wellbeing. Community Ment Health J 57, 1604–1613 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00786-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00786-w

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