Our stories

We are proud to have collected 'Our stories' - experiences from staff and students about mental health and what helped them through. As well as this e-book for you to download, there will be copies distributed across campus locations too. 

It's a collaboration between Keele University and Staffordshire University and contains the real life, lived experiences of students and staff, from both organisations. The aim of the book is to challenge the stigma that is still attached to mental health and it is hoped this book will help others to gain a better understanding and at least start a bigger conversation. In addition, it is hoped that it will provide hope for those people who feel that they are ‘alone’ in the challenges they face arising from their mental health. 

This book would not have been possible without the help of the students and staff who have contributed their stories – we thank them for their courage and patience to share their stories. You will also find a few descriptions of some mental health issues in the book, as well as links to support services at Keele University and Staffordshire University, and general support information.

Our version is based on a wider initiative by Brighter Futures, a West-Midlands based not-for-profit organisation which supports the most vulnerable members in our communities through their rough sleeping and outreach, mental health recovery and wellbeing services and supported accommodation.