Digital Stories

The art of storytelling as a healing art is a tradition that has been passed down over the centuries in many different cultures. During the Digital Story Workshop, youth and parents share their personal stories in a facilitated story circle and then bring their stories to life through a montage of voice over, images, music and other memorabilia. The process of storytelling often provides an internal place of peace and inner nourishment for youth and families who are dealing with tremendously overpowering feelings and images. The stories help them symbolize their experience and contribute to their healing in the process. Storytelling also strengthens resilience. Participants feel empowered during the workshop and more confident to be involved in the System of Care. In addition to healing, personal stories are a powerful tool to break down stigma.

These Digital Stories were developed by families and youth and reflect their personal stories of struggle with and recovery from mental health challenges. Stories tell the journey of a mother recovering from depression for the sake of her children; a youth who, at the fear of being removed from her family, is able to turn her life around and graduate from high school; a mother’s fight to reunite with her children and several others. Countless individuals and organizations such as Children’s Behavioral Health, Juvenile Probation, Department of Social and Employment Services and the Department of Education share these people’s journeys and contribute to their recovery. So in a way it is their stories as well.

All content and graphics for each story were provided by the story teller and may not reflect the views of the Monterey County Health Department, Children’s Behavioral Health Division.