Each of us carries a story about mental health.
For some, it’s a story about the struggles of navigating life with a mental health condition. For others, it’s the story of learning how to care for someone with a diagnosis. At NAMI Colorado Springs, we believe something simple and powerful: Your story matters. Not because it’s polished. Not because it’s finished. But because it’s real.
And in a world where mental illness is so often met with silence or stigma, real stories are a salve to others facing similar situations.
Feeling seen
Mental illness can be profoundly isolating. Even when you’re surrounded by people, you can feel alone in your thoughts, symptoms and fears.
Hearing someone else’s story can help us know we’re not alone.
When we hear someone say, “I struggle too,” something shifts. It helps us see that we’re connected to others who get it. That’s the heart of NAMI’s peer support. Our groups and classes are led by trained facilitators with lived experience — people who face mental health challenges or support a loved one and are now reaching out to help others move forward.
Research shows peer support increases hope and reduces isolation. But beyond the data, there’s something deeply human happening: story meeting story. And together, they grow.
A story still unfolding
It’s important for those new to NAMI to understand that the stories you’ll hear at a peer support group or in a class aren’t all stories of people who’ve walked through the fire and are beyond the struggle. It’s people who even now struggle, people who understand what you’re facing because they, too, face it. Ultimately, it is about shared experience.
That understanding is just as important for those considering volunteering with us. Sometimes people who are considering volunteering worry that their story isn’t powerful enough. Or, they’ll say, “I need to be farther along in my journey to really have something to say.” But here’s the truth: As a NAMI volunteer, when you share your story, you’re helping create a culture of belonging. And belonging is powerful medicine.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need all the answers. It’s about showing up and being willing to share. And we’re here to help. NAMI offers comprehensive training for facilitators and presenters, so you’re never alone. You’re part of a team with clear guidelines, ongoing support and a shared mission.
Healing the storyteller
Volunteering is often framed as something you do for someone else. And yes — when you facilitate a group, help at an event, or share your experience in a class, you are offering a gift.
But something else happens, too. When you put words to your experience, you begin to see it differently. You recognize your resilience. You notice growth. Ultimately, it’s a part of the healing process for both the person telling the story, and the one hearing it.
Your story can change lives.
Somewhere in our community, someone is considering a support group for the first time. Imagine how helpful it could be for that person to hear a story about finding community and finding hope — to see themselves in that story, and believe it’s possible for them, too.
Join Us: Empowering Storytelling Training
If you’re ready to share your story, we invite you to our Empowering Storytelling Training, an interactive session designed to help you harness your personal narrative to break stigma and build empathy. You’ll explore the elements of empowering storytelling, draft your story, learn key considerations for sharing lived experience, and gain tools for self-care and support as a NAMI storyteller.
Saturday, March 7, 2026
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (lunch provided)
Southeast Colorado Springs (location shared upon registration)
Space is limited. To reserve your spot, reply by Monday, March 2, 2026, and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.