In Our Own Voice:

NAMI Skagit  is proud to announce its new team of five experienced speakers trained to present NAMI’s In Our Own Voice (IOOV) program to groups in our community.

IOOV is a unique public education program developed by NAMI, in which two trained speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery.

Throughout the IOOV presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery. Each presentation follows the journey to recovery through its five major stages:  Dark Days; Acceptance; Treatment; Coping Strategies; and Successes, Hopes and Dreams.  Presenters introduce each stage with a brief video and then relate their own lived experience. 

In Our Own Voice is an ideal presentation for consumers and family members, health care providers, justice system and law enforcement personnel, faith communities, high school or college classes, community or civic organizations, and other interested groups. 

IOOV presentations run about 60 minutes and should ideally be given to groups of 10 or more.  If you are interested in scheduling a presentation or would like further information, please contact:

Jim Ramaglia, IOOV Coordinator
360-588-8229
ramaglia@comcast.net 

Link to NAMI IOOV web site which includes a Youtube video