In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique public education program developed by NAMI, in which two trained consumer speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery.
Throughout the IOOV presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery.
IOOV presentations can be adapted to any audience:
Individuals diagnosed with a mental illness and their families
Mental Health Service Providers
Educators and Students
Law Enforcement personnel
Judicial System Employees (i.e. Lawyers, Judges, Mental Health Court)
Mental Health Professionals
Faith communities
Anyone wanting to learn more about mental illness
Studies now show that contact between people who have mental illnesses and the public is the most effective way to reduce the discrimination and stigma associated with mental illnesses (Corrigan & Penn, 1999). An article published in the peer-reviewed Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal concludes, “There is strong evidence that NAMI’s ‘In Our Own Voice’ consumer education presentation is effective as a strategy for increasing audience knowledge about mental illness and improving attitudes towards those who experience psychiatric disorders.” (Wood and Wahl, 2006)
Each participant will be provided with an informational packet, and asked to complete a brief survey.
Presentations are between 60-90 minutes, which includes a short video.
There is no charge for the presentation. Disponible en Español (Available in Spanish)
Groups or organizations interested in seeing a presentation may call (520) 459-3228 or 1-800-380-2322.
"The reason why this program is such a valuable resource for us is that it puts a human face on people who are living successfully with a mental illness."
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN “IN OUR OWN VOICE” SPEAKER?
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is an opportunity for those who have struggled with mental illness to gain confidence and to share their individual experiences of recovery and transformation. The program dispels many myths surrounding mental illnesses and helps reduce stigma as we openly talk about it.
The goals of IOOV are to meet the need for consumer-run initiatives, to set a standard for quality education about mental illness from those who have been there, to offer genuine work opportunities, to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in presenters, and to focus on recovery and the message of hope.
WHO PARTICIPATES IN THIS PROGRAM?
Presenters are consumers (persons with mental illness) who are ready for the next step in their recovery and are willing to share their story. They are selected through application to NAMI Southeastern AZ
Two trained presenters go as a pair and tell their stories for three minutes each alternating with a video that is shown. This is a very interactive program and after each section, we encourage the audience to share their thoughts and ask questions. As presenters, we just want to share a little bit of our story to get the audience thinking and talking. The five sections of the IOOV are:
Introduce yourself, followed by:
Presenter Training: Presenters are sent to training to learn how to tell their story. A trainer from the NAMI national office provides a two-day course for 12-16 consumer presenters. During the training, presenters will practice telling their personal stories, develop facilitation skills, develop story points that will be relevant and meaningful to specific audiences, and develop a professional presentation that they can take to their communities. Hotel and meals for the two-day training process are covered with no cost to the consumer. Mileage to and from the training site also is reimbursed. The training is both FUN and helpful!
YOU CAN BE PAID TOO!
Yes. Presenters are paid a stipend for every presentation they give.
If you are interested in becoming an IOOV presenter, please call (520) 459-3228 or 1-800-380-2322.
Recovery is the point in someone's illness in which the illness is no longer the first and foremost part of his or her life, no longer the essence of all his or her existence.
Southeastern Arizona
