Your story has power: Join in to share it and help break mental health stigma at Deakin
Learning how to safely share my experiences has been an invaluable skill, and working with a dedicated team helped me better understand and connect with my own story. I have found being a lived experience storyteller to be both wonderfully empowering and humbling. I believe that through storytelling, we can find our voice in a way that resonates with others, creating a space for empathy and healing.
(Lived experience storyteller, Deakin student).
Sharing a lived experience story is a powerful tool! We are inviting Deakin students with lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges to come forward and discover how they can share their story with other Deakin students, in a safe and supportive environment. Lived experience stories can challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental health, humanising the often-stigmatised topic of mental illness.
We have partnered with Lived Experience Australia who will assist you to explore and how to develop your personal story so you can safely share with other students at Deakin. Hearing your story, fellow students can gain valuable insights from you about overcoming challenges and navigating their own mental health journey during their university years. We hope this will help to increase positive coping and help-seeking behaviours for all involved.
Lived Experience Australia has been delivering professional development, support and consultancy services for organisations and individuals with lived and living experience for over 10 years.
Sharing your story supports a healthier Deakin
Deakin is committed to supporting the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of our students. We understand that uni life can be full of ups and downs, and we’re working to create a mentally healthy community where no one feels alone. That’s why we’re empowering students with lived experience of mental health challenges to share their stories – helping to break stigma, build connection and show that resilience and recovery are possible.
Here’s how you can help!
Eligibility
You don’t need to have a mental health diagnosis to take part. We want to give a voice to any experience that could potentially have a positive impact on others and leave fellow Deakin students with a sense of hope, resilience, and healing for the future.
Commitment
Shortlisting involves a one-on-one 15-minute phone chat to discuss eligibility and the project in more detail. If successful, you’ll need to attend three training sessions with Lived Experience Australia. Then you’ll share your story with peers in a range of contexts within the University, such as at:
- student mental health promotion events
- library and other study groups
- peer support events
- First-year classes, lectures or seminars
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or other suitable student/staff trainings
- Deakin Residential Services
- or through videos (for DeakinWELLBEING App)
By expressing your interest in this project, you agree to sharing your story on at least five occasions, in contexts such as those outlined above, over a 12-month period. These storytelling opportunities will be coordinated by Deakin’s Student Health Promotion Coordinator, in partnership with you. From the early planning stages through to delivery, this will be a collaborative process, and you will be supported through regular check-ins and a community of practice style network.
Supporting your development
There are many benefits to be gained from sharing your lived experience. If selected for the program, you will receive comprehensive training, and be supported to develop skills and capability in the following areas:
- Public speaking
- Storytelling and shaping the narrative
- Self-care
- Be part of a Lived Experience Storytelling network
Connecting with others going through similar life experiences will be mutually beneficial and rewarding, building a sense of community within the university.
We value your contribution and will provide recognition and/or remuneration to you for your time and participation in the training and opportunities to share (this will be in the form of attendance certificates, gift cards).
In the event that you wish to withdraw from the program you will be supported to reduce or cease your involvement if necessary.
Express your interest now
Complete an Expression of Interest form now. Forms must be received by Thursday 19 June 2025.