GENERAL GUIDELINES
Why share your story?
There are so many reasons why you might choose to share your story.
To heal or process an experience.
To let others know they are not alone and that recovery is possible.
To educate others about misconceptions surrounding mental health, mental illness, or suicide.
To inspire others to share their voice.
To feel connected and find community.
Personal stories also help encompass the complexity of many of these issues and the diversity of experiences with mental health. They show us that we are all human, that we all struggle, but we are also so resilient.
Whatever your story is, we can’t wait to hear it.
We like to keep things open for you to express yourself in whatever way feels best.
Stories about mental health can change lives — but because these experiences are so personal and touch on vulnerable, complex topics, there are some things to keep in mind so that we can continue sharing stories in a safe and responsible way.
Share your story from your own perspective. All experiences are unique and valid, so aim to avoid comparison to anyone else’s struggles.
Be at a safe place in your recovery. Sharing your story may bring up unexpected emotions. Be honest with yourself about where you’re at in your recovery and headspace. Be gentle with yourself and seek out support if you need it.
Some narratives may touch on the struggles of a friends or loved one. Please be respectful and consider the privacy of others if you include details of someone else’s experience. We encourage you to ask for permission when writing about a friend, peer, or family member, or to consider changing names when necessary.
You never know who your story might impact. We want you to honor wherever you’re at in your journey, and that may mean that you share experiences of pain, grief, or struggle. Make sure you also share full range of your experiences — that includes the moments of joy, growth, and triumph, too. Ultimately, your story should convey an underlying message of hope, resilience, and empowerment.
We hope to inspire you to own your story, and encourage you to publish under your name if you feel comfortable and safe doing so. However, we also recognize that many of these topics are vulnerable, and that there might be risks to disclosing your identity or other reasons why someone might want to remain anonymous. You always have the option to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym.
Things to keep in mind
Safe storytelling guidelines
Your story is powerful, and we want to help you tell it authentically. Personal narratives will inevitably touch on vulnerable or sensitive topics, but we also care about ensuring that your story is not triggering or harmful to someone who might read it.
Here are some helpful guidelines and tips:
Language matters. Be mindful of the language and phrases you use. Avoid using the phrase “commit suicide,” which can add to the stigma and imply morality or judgment. Instead, use “died by suicide,” “ended one’s life,” or “took his/her/their life.”
Avoid sharing graphic details. Don’t refer to the lethal means or method used in an attempt, if it can otherwise be avoided and the story is complete without it.
Don’t glorify mental illness, self harm, or suicide/attempts. These issues are complex and romanticizing these experiences can be harmful and lead others to see suicide as a viable option.
Use discernment when mentioning sensitive details. Many of our readers are survivors of lived experiences, suicide attempts, or suicide loss, or live with a mental health condition. It’s important to us that your story is authentic and meaningful, but we don’t want to further trigger anyone who is still struggling.
We accept a variety of mediums! You are welcome to submit written work, poetry, art, photography, videography, digital media, and more.
Express yourself in whatever way feels best, but don’t feel like you have to share your whole life story in one go. For written stories, 500-1000 words is a good benchmark, but your piece can be longer or shorter — it’s up to you!
Written work can be submitted directly on our website. The button below will take you to a form to fill out.
If you are submitting work of a different medium, such as photography or art, please attach your work in an email. If your files are too large, you can send us access via Dropbox, Google Drive, YouTube, or Vimeo.
While we value each and every story, please keep in mind that we do take careful time to read through each submission thoroughly and thoughtfully, and may make some minor edits. If we find that your story needs clarification or might be potentially triggering for our community, we may reach out to you to collaboratively revise your work.
