History

The Mental Health Education Initiative (MHEI) was founded in 2001 by a three person task force.  Each member was a survivor of serious mental illness who recognized the harm that stigma caused in his/her own life. Through their review of social science research on the relative effectiveness of different ways to reduce stigma, they learned that the best way to open minds is for people to tell their personal stories. A question and answer, face to face dialogue is particularly effective. This knowledge inspired them to form the MHEI Speaker’s Bureau.

MHEI is comprised of three types of people. Most speakers are individuals recovering from mental illness. Family members and service providers are speakers also.  Each speaker wants to reduce stigmatizing attitudes and the resulting discrimination by connecting a human face and positive personal story to mental illness and the pathway to recovery.

Feedback from people who attended the presentations has always been very positive.

The speaker made everyone feel so welcome and encouraged. Even though it was a small group there was a wonderful discussion that lasted even after she left. Her candor to discuss her challenges and trials then a joyful celebration of her successes left the group open and insightful; reflective of each person’s own journey or recovery and plans for the future.

Gave me a different outlook – never give up hope. I needed to hear that again…how important a clinician’s interactions with a person are… I knew this from reading, but to hear it first hand from an individual is very powerful. The smallest comments by providers/professionals can make the biggest difference.

MHEI is very meaningful to me, as a spouse of someone with mental illness, we confront stigma and all kinds of issues 24 hours a day.  And I’m so happy that there’s a group in Chittenden County in Vermont that’s starting to address some of these issues that have long been festering, and bringing it to light and raising consciousness.

This was a very helpful workshop – one of the best and most helpful I have ever attended – and most hopeful!

I'm so happy I came here tonight. In all the years I've been associated with the [local mental health agency], I've never been to anything like this. A program like this is long overdue. It's the first time I heard my son share like this... I feel like it was a real breakthrough.

Students spoke about your visit as being one of the most important class sessions that we had this semester and very much appreciated your candor about your experiences.