Story telling is a powerful way to reduce stigma and raise awareness around mental health. Naomi Fryers had a breakdown and was removed from her home by police and taken to a mental health ward. In her words, she hit rock bottom and over time embraced her story, growing through adversity to tell her own story with an empowering ending.Naomi Fryers is a writer, mental health survivor and advocate and TEDX Speaker. Today on mental health awareness day I am chuffed to share this very real chat about what she has learnt about growth and using her voice to advocate for others, particularly women in the system.She is passionate about giving young people the microphone empowering them to tell their stories. Naomi is authentic, courageous and awesome.Her hardest times have given her strength, resilience and compassion which we can all read about in her book ‘A Very Long Way’. As you continue your growth, please check out her book is about her experience living and thriving with a mental illness.Please note that this episode touches on mental health challenges and trauma as well as suicide. It is a very real and solution orientated conversation however elements could be triggering for those who have experienced mental health challenges. Please access support if you are experiencing challenges.On World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2021) writer, Naomi Fryers will release her debut novel, A Very Long Way. A hopeful non-fiction narrative that provides a rare but relatable insight into the lived experience of an ordinary Australian with significant mental health struggles.Almost forty-five percent of our population will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime and research shows that there is a deficiency in the quality of care provided to them. A Very Long Way explores these inequalities and disparities to reveal Naomi's tenacious journey towards recovery, during which she learned many key life lessons. One of the main ones being, the importance of embracing natural self-expression as a means of rediscovering an innate sense of self. A Very Long Way uses her real-life example of overcoming, as a basis of proof that surviving can translate into future thriving, for those determined to commit to healing. Her thoughtful writings have graced the pages of many celebrated publications including The Huffington Post and Elephant Journal. Naomi has also worked in a professional capacity in both not for profit and government organisations, advocating for progressive and systemic changes to the mental health sector.Fifty percent of sales generated from A Very Long Way will go directly towards Black Dog Institute. A not for profit organisation dedicated to creating mental health education programs to help raise awareness, create real world solutions and help prevent suicideResources:Naomi Fryers: www.naomifryers.comORDER Book: A Very Long Way - www.kmdbooks.com/product-page/a-very-long-wayBlack Dog Institute: www.blackdoginstitute.org.auWe hope you enjoyed the episodeVisit the Go to Grow Website here: www.gotogrow.com.au Send us an email with any thoughts, questions or ideas to [email protected] or [email protected] so much for choosing growth and being part of the tribe. The best way you can support our weekly diverse messy real growth exploration is to share the growth love - share an episode with your team, your boss, your family or friends. screen shot one and post it and of course a rate/review would be growth-tastic. thanks so much and see you next week.Cheers, Melissa

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