Stories of people

Nearly all of us will participate in a national support system at some point in our lives, many of us continually. We may be a client of a system, a professional within one, or an advocate for somebody else who is using one – or a combination of all of these. 

Making our way through whatever system we access is fraught with difficulties, no matter how multiliterate we are or which system it is and no matter the best intentions of the organization. And yet people manage it. And they survive. 

However, there isn’t a lot known about how survivors survive or, for that matter, what they go through while they do it. Or even what sort of individuals they are, and what astounding experiences (and resources) they hold. 

Because while systems and professionals are quick to publish and promote their own resources, the individual punter (on the other side of the system) can become preoccupied and fatigued, their abilities dismissed, and their roles blunted.

So, what do people do, and how? And, whether client, advocate, clinician, practitioner, therapist, or educator, how different are we all really when our personal landslides occur?

Do we really know what mental health looks like? Do we look at people and jump to conclusions based on what we see or hear? Do we pride ourselves on this ability? 

Is it possible to mistake a healthy person for a struggling person based on what we think - and vice versa? Can our roles in support systems involve a hidden and vested interest in keeping people the same? Does our absorption in our own expertise prevent us from seeing individual people clearly?

How do we keep our own flags up? Can support workers learn from clients? Can clients influence support workers? How limited is our own point of view? Should we (can we) allow our concept of what constitutes good “mental health” to change over time? 

The following interviews and stories explore these puzzles and challenge us to confront our ideas and perceptions of mental health – including our own. 

The questions are used here as a guide only and are broad and open, so that participants across all systems can use them to tell their story, rather than be defined by the questions themselves. Not all of the questions are used, and some participants shaped their narratives without referring to any of them. The narratives are non-linear and can cover extensive time lines. This is deliberate. The responses don’t necessarily address the question offered (or any question at all) and have not been edited to do so. This is also deliberate. 

1. Can you see mental health?

2. What does your own mental health look like?

3. Have you participated in any of Australia’s health/ social support systems, including the NDIS, Healthcare, mental health care, aged care?

4. Would you say you can navigate this health system confidently?

5. How did you learn to do it?

6. What is your role in this system? Does this role help you use the system in the best way possible?

7. Do you have an advocate?

8. Is it important to have an advocate? 

9. Does the system support you?

10. How did/do you make the system work for you?

11. Did/does the system define you?

12. Do you feel that mental health professionals (or anyone in a position of authority/expertise) could know you better than you do?

13. Would you feel confident to dispute or dismiss a health professional’s assessment/interpretation of you?

14. How do you keep yourself going when things become overwhelming?

15. How did you learn to do this?

16. Have you ever had people perceive you in the wrong way?

17. What do you do when this happens?