Share Your Personal Story

Use Your Voice to Break the Stigma Around Mental Health

Are you ready to make a difference in the mental health community? By sharing your personal story, you can help others feel less alone, reduce stigma, and inspire hope.

Real Stories. Real People. Real Impact.

At ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), we believe that lived experiences are powerful tools for change. We feature compelling personal stories from individuals who have faced mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and more.

Each story offers insight, support, and practical advice from people just like you—people who’ve navigated the ups and downs of mental health and come out stronger.

Why Share Your Mental Health Journey?

Raise Awareness: Personal stories help normalize conversations around mental health conditions.
Reduce Stigma: Real-life experiences challenge misconceptions and promote understanding.
Support Others: Your story could provide someone with the hope and motivation they need to seek help.

Reading these stories can be comforting and educational—whether you’re beginning your own mental health journey or supporting someone else through theirs.

Submit Your Mental Health Story

We welcome original, heartfelt contributions in either the forms below:

A written story (500–750 words); or
A short 2–3 minute video
A 1–2 minute audio recording

Your story may be featured on the ADAA website, our Triumph e-newsletter, and across our social media platforms.

What to Include in Your Submission:

A brief and compelling title
A description of your mental health journey
How mental health issues have impacted your life
The therapies, tools, or treatments that helped you manage or recover
How ADAA's resources have supported you
Your real name and a photo (required for publication)

Additional Tips

Use clear, descriptive subheadings so readers and search engines can easily follow your story.
Keep paragraphs short and focused.
Use your authentic voice—this is your unique experience.
We do not accept advertorial content or promotional material, including references to personal websites, products, or publications.

Ready to Inspire Others? Submit Your Story Below!

Join the Movement to #BreakTheStigma

Your voice matters. Your journey can empower others. Let’s work together to build a more open, supportive, and informed world when it comes to mental health.

We review every submission within one week. If your story is selected, we’ll contact you directly.

Note: ADAA reserves the right to edit stories for clarity, style, and length to ensure higher searchability. We do not guarantee that every submission will be published. If you have not heard from ADAA within one week of submission that means that your story has not been accepted. Once published, submissions become the property of ADAA.

First

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Email Address

How Did You Hear About ADAA's Personal Stories?

Can we use your full name for the story?

If condition is not listed above, please specify

Story - Please provide a title with your story

Are you 18 and older? If yes, please check the box

Why did you choose to submit your story to ADAA?

Please upload up to 3 photos you would like to include with your story.

Maximum 3 files.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png.

I accept the terms of service.

I, the individual “Participant” enter into this Liability and Publicity Release (“Release”) with the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

By agreeing to this Release:

I agree to be interviewed, photographed, and/or filmed by ADAA or by any representative of ADAA for media or public relations purposes (including but not limited to promotional videos, articles, brochures, letters and social media outreach).
I grant to ADAA the right and permission to use my name, age, image (i.e., photograph or video), voice statements, testimonials, and quotations (“Content”) in any format whatsoever (including, but not limited to, social media). I hereby give all clearances for the use of the Content and waive all copyrights, publicity rights, and other proprietary rights that may exist in the Content. I further grant ADAA the right to provide the Content to any outside third parties. I further grant ADAA the right to provide the Content to any outside third parties as part of ADAA’s promotional efforts and to be used exclusively for that purpose. The license granted under this Release is worldwide and lasts from now and forever into the future, and includes the right to edit, mix, modify, duplicate, use or re-use, and distribute the Content. ADAA shall have complete ownership of the Content.
I understand and agree that I will have no right of approval, no right to compensation (monetary or otherwise), and no right to sue ADAA for any claim, known or unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with the use and license of the Content and hereby forever release and indemnify (i.e., agree to take legal responsibility for) ADAA from any and all such claims.

I am representing that I am not bound by any other contract that forbids (or prevents) me from signing this Release.

I have read the statements above and understand its terms and agree to all of them. I also certify that I am 18 years of age or older. If I am not 18 years of age or older, this Release is also signed by my parent, responsible relative or legal guardian. Further, if I do not understand this Release and am 18 years of age or older and not under the care of a legal guardian signing below on my behalf, I will not sign this Release until after seeking the advice of a legal professional.