A major barrier to individuals seeking help in rural communities is the stigma often associated with mental health challenges. Rural Minds is working to confront the stigma through people talking about their personal, lived experiences with mental illness.

“Sharing the burden of mental illness and life experiences can be really, really powerful,” said Dr. Mark A. Fry, consultant in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic. “As a psychiatrist, I would tell you it’s a critically important part of the overall treatment plan. In my opinion, the concept of providing peer support – sharing lived experiences with mental illness and supporting each other – really is invaluable.”