Not Alone Series: Introduction and Questions

The Uncustomary Housewife’s “Not Alone Series”

Do you have a mental health story to tell? I want to help you tell it. 

Why I Started the “Not Alone Series”: I recently started writing about my journey with Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Anxiety. Since then, I’ve received a tremendous amount of messages from individuals that have also been impacted by mental illness. Each person had a unique story to tell, but they all had one thing in common: at times, they felt alone. So, I launched the “Not Alone Series”. This series allows individuals to tell their mental health stories on my blog and social network platforms. I hope that people will read these stories, and realize that they are not alone.

If you wish to participate in this series, please do the following and contact me in an e-mail (my e-mail address is tebanks13@gmail.com):

• QUESTIONS: Answer as many of the introductory questions as you can. Please, notify me if the interview needs to be adapted to better suit you; everyone is different, and these are basic questions. It is absolutely okay to skip a question if it makes you uncomfortable, or if it isn’t relevant to you. After reviewing your answers I may respond to you with follow-up questions and talking points, to further personalize the interview.
• PHOTO: Attach an appropriate photo that can be used with the blog post and on social networks.
• ABOUT: Provide a short autobiographical paragraph about yourself, that can serve as an “About” section. Please, include your name the way you would like it to appear on the post.
• LINKS: Include a list of your social network and blog links that are relevant to this topic.

Interview Questions:
1) If you don’t mind, tell me about your diagnosis.

2) When did you first become aware of concerns related to your mental health?

3) Was there a particular event or turning point that caused you to seek help and/or get a diagnosis?

4) What experiences have you encountered with treatment (therapy, medication, etc…)? What works for you, and what doesn’t?

5) Why do you speak publicly about your mental illness/mental health?

6) Have you developed positive coping strategies? If so, would you please tell me about them?

7) Do you believe there is a negative stigma attached to mental illness? If so, what causes the stigma? How can people help stop the stigma?

8) Is your particular mental illness portrayed in popular movies, shows, or books? If so, do you feel like it is given a fair portrayal?

9) Do you have a mental health success story you would like to share with me? Perhaps an achievement you are proud of, a goal you met, an obstacle you overcame, or something else?

10) What challenges and/or struggles are you still facing?

11) What advice do you have for individuals living with mental illness?

12) What advice do you have for friends and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness? Furthermore, have you given any pointers to your own friends and loved ones?

13) Is there anything else you would like to share?

Keep the following Editorial Guidelines in mind:

• I want you to share honest stories in a respectful way. Therefore, I require that you use respectful language.
• Be respectful and courteous when sharing details about other individuals or groups. Take their privacy into consideration.
• Always consider the following question: “Why do I want to share my story?”. Some people share to raise awareness and educate others. Some people share their stories to let others know that they are not alone. Some share hoping to find a sense of belonging or community on the internet. Some people simply have a story to tell, and they want a safe place to tell it. Please make sure your reason is constructive and positive.
• Please provide credible sources to back up any facts that you mention.

Disclaimers:
Clarity: I may edit submissions for clarity and my own editorial guidelines, but never in a way that misrepresents your voice or message. This is your story, I’m just glad you are sharing it with me.

Content Warning and Help Links: I will add a content warnings at the beginning of an interview, if I feel one is needed. I will also add links to hotlines and provide options for help throughout interviews, if I feel they are needed.

Time: I am a one-woman operation. I will work as quickly as I can, but I ask that you be patient. My intention is to publish your work immediately upon receiving it, but my key priority is to do your work justice, so it may take some time. I promise to be attentive, and efficient. Please let me know about any concerns you might have.

Publication: I can’t publish every submission I receive on all of my platforms (blog and social networks). You have value, and your story has value, so please don’t feel unimportant if your interview isn’t published. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me.

I really appreciate your participation.

To view previous “Not Alone Series” Interviews, you can visit the Not Alone Series Category on my blog.

If you like, you can subscribe to my blog, and follow my Uncustomary Housewife social network accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.