Despite improved awareness of mental health, our society is still uncomfortable talking about severe, long term or complex mental health conditions. In a country where 1 in 5 people are living with a mental health condition, the need for open, honest conversations has never been more critical.
SANE StigmaWatch, in partnership with Mindframe (an Everymind program), aims to change that narrative with a pioneering new podcast called ‘People like You.’ Hosted by SANE Ambassador Cameron Solnordal, "People Like You" seeks to dismantle stigma and reshape perceptions surrounding mental illness by sharing unfiltered, real life stories of those who live it.
"I am one of those 1 in 5 people, and I believe it's time we redefine how society views mental illness," says Solnordal. "We are people like you. It's high time our stories are heard, understood, and respected."
Premiering Wednesday, April 10, 2024, "People Like You" invites listeners on a journey of empathy, insight, and empowerment. Each episode features candid conversations with real individuals, their families, and carers, exploring a myriad of mental health experiences.
From depression and anxiety to PTSD and schizophrenia, "People Like You" offers a platform for honest discourse, shedding light on the diverse and often misunderstood landscape of mental health. Guests include acclaimed author, writer, and mental health advocate Jill Stark, award-winning comedian and mental health advocate Sam Kissajukian, coveted media personality, podcaster, and writer Elfy Scott, alongside many other inspiring voices.
"At SANE, we believe in amplifying the voices of those who have lived through mental health challenges, whether it’s in themselves or a friend or family member” shares Rachel Green, CEO of SANE.
We’ve become quite comfortable as a society with the ‘glossy’ version of mental illness we see in the media – take a pill, do some therapy, maybe add in some meditation and you’ll be happy.
But this is not the case for many people. Sometimes it takes years to recover. For others, recovery means finding a place where their symptoms can co-exist with a meaningful and productive life.
There are millions of Australians living with mental illness, and each person has their own story. This podcast shares some of these stories so that we can build a society that doesn’t turn away from people like us, but rather one that understands, accepts and, sometimes celebrates, the differences between us.”
Join us in breaking the silence surrounding mental health. Tune in to the premiere of "People Like You" on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, available on all major podcast platforms and from https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/podcasts.
Because, at the end of the day, we are all just people like you.