Share Your Mental Health Journey to Inspire Others!

The In Our Own Voice (IOOV) program gives individuals the opportunity to share their stories of living with a mental illness to decrease stigma and increase awareness. General pesentations are given to peers, family and friends, health care providers, law enforcement officials, faith communities, students, and any other community or civic organization that is interested in learning more about mental health and recovery. The presentation is 40, 60, or 90 minutes and the format includes viewing a NAMI video about mental illness, personal testimony from 2 IOOV volunteers, and time for questions from the audience. Presenters receive a $30 stipend for their service.

Role Requirements:

▪ Adult with mental illness who is living well in recovery.

▪ Comfortable presenting to an audience, or willingness to learn public speaking skills.

▪ Complete an 8-hour webinar and 1-day training program provided by NAMI. Available weekends only.

▪ Volunteers are encouraged to commit to presenting 1 time per month for a year; however, the number of presentations a volunteer completes will be dependent on their availability and demands of the program.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

▪ Work cooperatively with a co-presenter to conduct the presentation which includes speaking about the topics of dark days, acceptance, treatment, coping skills, and successes, hopes, and dreams.

▪ Volunteers are responsible for gathering materials needed for the event from the NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore office. Excess materials should be returned after the event.

▪ Volunteers are required to complete a Presenter Report Form and collect Audience Evaluations from audience members. These items must be returned to NAMI staff within 1-week of the presentation.

▪ Volunteers are contacted on an as-needed basis to present. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that NAMI staff has accurate information regarding their availability.