NAMI of Eastern Oregon
In Our Own Voice Information
Click below or contact NAMI of Eastern Oregon for additional information, media and resources on NAMI's In Our Own Voice public education program.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
In Our Own Voice
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a unique public education program in which trained consumer speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Developed by NAMI, the program was started by a grant from Eli Lily and Company.
IOOV is an opportunity for those who have struggled with mental illness to gain confidence and to share their individual experiences of recovery and transformation.
Throughout the IOOV presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery.
IOOV presentations are given to consumer groups, students, law enforcement officials, educators, providers, faith community members, politicians, professionals, inmates, and interested civic groups. All presentations are offered free of charge.
Groups or organizations interested in seeing a presentation may request one in their area through their state or local NAMI affiliate.
The goals of IOOV are to meet the need for consumer-run initiatives, to set a standard for quality education about mental illness from those who have been there, to offer genuine work opportunities, to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in presenters and to focus on recovery and the message of hope.
In Our Own Voice was created as part of NAMI’s initiative to involve consumers in education about serious mental illness. It seemed natural for people with mental illness to draw from the expertise of their lived experiences and to share these experiences with others.
