"Poetry has increased my connection to others through sharing my story."

Hope wrote 'Grief' - co-commissioned by MAD Poetry and Survivors of Suicide & Friends for Mental Health Week.

Sharing my mental health lived experiences has helped me release a sense of heaviness that has been attached to me. I have released stigma and shame, and I have been able to sit in my vulnerability and face my trauma, when otherwise I couldn’t do it without breaking down and putting walls up. I have felt a lot of growth this year while releasing my stories through poetry.

Poetry has increased my connection to others through sharing my story. People that have resonated with my work have connected with me on the same level, which has helped me through some of my mental health issues and has opened a portal of sharing vulnerable parts of myself with others in safe and intentional environments. I feel less alone and am more open for support and to support others.