Fighting Mental Health Stigma With Stories: Why Lived Experience Matters

Education alone doesn’t end stigma—stories do.

In this powerful conversation, world-renowned stigma researcher Dr. Patrick Corrigan explains why sharing personal stories of lived experience is the most effective way to fight mental health stigma.

Instead of relying on lectures or statistics, Corrigan’s research shows that real-life “on the way down and on the way up” stories—of both struggle and recovery—help people see depression and other mental health conditions with compassion and hope.

Corrigan also shares his own story of living with mental illness, explains why authenticity reduces shame, and explores how stigma is best understood as a social justice issue led by people with lived experience—not just professionals.

This episode is both a call to action and a reassurance: your voice matters, and your story could change someone else’s life.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why education about mental illness often fails to reduce stigma
• How lived experience and storytelling shift attitudes and perceptions
• The importance of sharing both “on the way down” and “on the way up” stories
• Dr. Patrick Corrigan’s personal experience with depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety
• Why authenticity and coming out reduce shame and build connection
• The risks and benefits of disclosing mental health struggles
• How lived experience has driven other stigma movements (like LGBTQ+ rights)
• Why mental health stigma should be treated as a social justice issue
• The Honest, Open, Proud program and safe ways to share your story
• Everyday strategies for reducing stigma and finding safe allies

Timestamps

00:11 Introduction and welcome
 01:30 Mission of Giving Voice to Depression and this episode’s focus
 02:24 Guest introduction: Dr. Patrick Corrigan, leading stigma researcher
 03:16 Why education about “mental illness as brain disease” doesn’t reduce stigma
 03:54 The power of face-to-face interactions and recovery stories
 04:29 “On the way down” and “on the way up” stories for balance and hope
 05:10 Corrigan shares his personal story of mental illness and recovery
 06:29 Why authenticity reduces shame and creates “me too” moments
 07:51 Comparisons with the LGBTQ+ movement and visibility
 08:09 The risks and benefits of disclosing mental illness
 09:13 Reframing the “dirty laundry” narrative—gifts that come with mental health struggles
 10:06 Why stigma must be understood as a social justice issue
 10:39 The importance of lived experience in leading anti-stigma efforts
 11:49 Why disclosure must be a personal, well-considered choice
 12:44 Honest, Open, Proud program: safe ways to share your story
 13:59 Using podcasts and third-party stories to test safe disclosure
 15:04 Dr. Anita on the energy drain of hiding vs. the freedom of authenticity
 16:24 Recognizing the gifts of empathy, gratitude, and compassion from lived experience
 17:15 The goal: not just resilience, but thriving and social change
 18:09 Call to action: listener voices needed for future stigma episodes
 18:45 Closing reminders: speak up if you’re struggling, listen if someone else is

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