Disclosing mental health diagnosis in a community forum

Trissy — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:25:46 GMT

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and am looking forward to your advice and insight.

I was disguised with bipolar 2 when I was 26 and I am now 42. It has been a complex journey but I am at a point where I am ready to move into a space of advocacy and peer support.

I work in allied heath (physiotherapist), at a very holistic clinic that encompasses movement, mental and physical health. We have a beautiful community of individuals who attend in one form or another.

I have an idea to develop a panel on mental health and associated lived experiences (my workplace runs panels on all sorts of topics as it is very advocacy). I would ideally sit on the panel to share my story and step into advocacy through lived experience. As much as I want this, I have concerns around how this would be received and the ongoing fear around irreversible disclosure to the community I am meant to take care of as a physiotherapist.

Does anyone have lived experience moving into a public space with their mental health diagnosis and the outcome?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Disclosing mental health diagnosis in a community forum

quirkywords — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:01:38 GMT

Guest

welcome to forum and well done for wanting to use your lived experience to help others.

i have not been in a work community but over 20 years ago I started doing talks for the community where I lived and there was an article printed in the paper. 20 years ago there was stigma and a certain amount of keeping quiet about mental health. I feel confident about being honest and I know my talks help others.
I wish you all the best.

topic Re: Disclosing mental health diagnosis in a community forum in Long-term support over the journey

Disclosing mental health diagnosis in a community forum

Re: Disclosing mental health diagnosis in a community forum