Living with Mental Health Challenges: Personal Stories of Recovery from Across the Globe

This symposium includes twelve personal narratives from individuals who live with serious mental health challenges that are sometimes diagnosed as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, or other conditions. Such challenges are often persistent, lead to stigma and discrimination, and can deeply affect quality of life. Serious mental health challenges are frequently approached as life-long medical conditions, given a diagnosis and treated with medications. However, some pursue non-medical treatments, peer support, use diet and exercise to promote wellness, embrace models of recovery, and function well even when symptoms persist. Approaches often differ across nations, depending upon their resources and philosophy of mental health challenges. Three commentaries on these narratives are also included, authored by experts and scholars in the fields of cultural psychiatry, refugee mental health, human rights advocacy, child's health, and global mental health. We intend this collection of stories to broaden the range of acceptable responses to mental health challenges, raise awareness of stigma and bias in mental health care, and share the wisdom and preferences of those living with mental health challenges.