The Healing Power of Storytelling in Community – Mental Health Monday
Recovery stories are more than just narratives—they’re threads in a larger tapestry of healing, connection, and transformation. This was the powerful message shared by Meghann Perry and Mary Strong during their presentation on the role of storytelling in recovery.
Meghann Perry, a recovery coach professional and creator of the Recovery Storytelling Workshop series, emphasizes that our recovery journeys are not single stories but rather “a tapestry of stories.” Through her work combining advocacy, art, and healing, she has discovered how storytelling can be a powerful tool for both personal and community healing.
“We are not just one story—there is no one story that defines any particular part of our lives,” Perry explains. “We’re a tapestry of stories.”
The power of storytelling in recovery works on multiple levels:
Individual Healing
- Re-authoring our stories from a place of greater healing
- Validation and being truly seen by others
- Increased connection with ourselves and our past experiences
- Building empathy and understanding
- Taking ownership of our narrative
- Externalizing problems rather than letting them define us
Community Healing
- Building trust through shared vulnerability
- Creating safe spaces for authentic connection
- Passing on shared values and culture
- Overcoming barriers through universal emotional language
- Weaving individual stories into a stronger community fabric
Mary Strong, founder of Your Story (formerly Her Story), shared how storytelling spaces can provide crucial support for people in recovery. After finding connection through SHE RECOVERS‘ online gatherings, she recognized the need for a dedicated space where people could share their full recovery stories.
“Their vulnerability gave me permission to be vulnerable,” Strong reflects. “And I think when we’re able to be vulnerable with others, our recovery really starts to deepen.”
Both speakers emphasized the importance of trauma-informed storytelling. This means sharing our experiences thoughtfully, focusing on growth and healing rather than graphic details. As Perry notes, “You don’t have to tell the story you made when you were in trauma—you tell the story that you see now.”
The presentation highlighted how storytelling in recovery isn’t just about sharing our darkest moments—it’s about recognizing our resilience, acknowledging our helpers, and illuminating the path forward for others. Whether through structured workshops, community gatherings, or one-on-one connections, telling our stories helps us make meaning of our experiences while creating bridges of understanding and hope.
For those interested in exploring recovery storytelling, both speakers recommend starting small, perhaps with writing or sharing with one trusted person, and gradually expanding your circle as you feel ready. The key is finding safe, supportive spaces where your story can be honored and held with care.
Through initiatives like Recovery Storytelling Workshops and Your Story gatherings, more people in recovery are discovering the transformative power of sharing their experiences. As these spaces continue to grow, they weave an ever-stronger tapestry of healing, connection, and hope for the recovery community.