By Chris Gambian
My least favourite saying of recent years is “That sounds like a you problem”
I guess it is a product of the times in which we live: we’ve never been more disconnected from each other; we celebrate the individual over the group; we’ve never been so focused on getting ahead, alone.
But everything that has ever been worth achieving, in the history of humankind, has been achieved together.
Science tells us that even the things that are most intimately personal, our minds, are made in part by the relationships and interactions we have with other people. So even what makes us one of a kind is made – for better or worse – together.
Last week I wrote to you about change, and how hard it can be. This week I want to explore why I believe the change we desperately need in mental health is only going to be possible through the collective action of millions of Australians that starts in connecting, storytelling and relationships.
By finding our shared interests and concerns we can set about to raise a voice loud enough to be heard. As citizens in a democracy, that is our best power to shape a better world.
But wait, there’s more. The act of connecting is, in itself, a step forward for better lives.
Few things do more for our wellbeing than connection and love: to have a little part of you burn brightly in the heart and mind of another.
Our successes and joys, sweeter, together.
Our setbacks and struggles, softer, together.
To feel supported and nurtured, priceless.
At Australians for Mental Health we are working to generate collective action for mental health through a process called community organising.
And in community organising we are interested in 3 stories:
The Story of Me
These are the stories of ourselves: the stuff that has made us who we are.
What are the hopes for our future that get us out of bed in the morning? What are the ups and downs, victories and defeats, joys and sadnesses that have led us to this moment?
Socrates implores you to “know thyself” as a pathway to wisdom and a wholehearted life. Without a deep sense of who we are, what we want and where we want to be, we cannot be fully in relationship with others.
The Story of Us
By sharing our stories, we start to see ourselves in other people. Connection is what builds community. It is what fosters relationship.
When we understand the story of us – we, here, right now, wanting something better – we can find common interests and a basis for working together for change.
The story of us is not about a “what’s in it for me” type transaction. It is about deciding to be part of something, in everyone’s interests.
The Story of Now
What is the urgency to act? What change do we need and why do we need it now?
The Story of Now propels us to action: to take a stand, together, on those shared interests that glue us together.
The urgency of Australia’s mental health crisis is not some abstract thing, it is being lived by us all right now.
That’s why I am asking you to join us to take action together:
- Be a member of Australians for Mental Health and ask your family, friends and colleagues to join too;
- Sign up for training;
- Get involved in your local community.
Vanessa, you have extraordinary capacity to shape the world as it ought to be.
I want your story to become my story and my story to become yours.
And together we can turn our hopes for something better into a beautiful new reality.
Have a good week.