The Role of Kindness, Collaboration, and Support in Creative Anti-Stigma Work

Kairos Women+ share the vital foundations of their creative anti-stigma work with women.

In our ongoing effort to address mental health stigma, we found that creativity has been a powerful tool.

As a part of our Nothing About Us Without Us project, which is now in its second year, members of our community created an audible storytelling piece where women+* shared their personal mental health stories. By making space for them to reclaim their narrative, this project is well placed within our wider anti-stigma work.

However, whilst creativity was an important component of this work, we believe that it was the presence of kindness, collaboration, and support that made this work transformational for those who participated.

The true purpose of creativity is to bring people together, amplify voices and foster community. To do this most effectively, we must practice kindness, collaboration, and support every step of the way. These are the values on which our organisation is built and is directly linked to creative anti-stigma work.

Kindness

At its core, anti-stigma work should focus on addressing barriers which prevent people from telling their story. One of the most significant barriers is the fear of judgement. Women+, particularly those from marginalised groups, may worry about being stigmatised further or misunderstood when sharing their mental health experiences.

When we meet others with kindness, we are encouraged to listen without judgment, offer understanding, and embrace differences. By extending kindness to every woman+ who comes through our doors, we build trusting relationships and spaces where women feel braver to take risks and more comfortable opening up, sharing personal narratives and exploring the healing potential of storytelling.

If kindness is not felt, we risk that people keep these parts of themselves hidden, and inadvertently disconnect ourselves from those we hope to support.

Collaboration

Stigma can often make individuals feel isolated, disconnected, and alone. The idea of collaborating with others who may share similar experiences can be incredibly inviting. When women see that they are not alone, and that others are also willing to share their stories, it creates an important sense of belonging.

However, when undertaking the Nothing About Us, Without Us project, it was essential to ensure that the collaborative element extended beyond merely having multiple individuals contribute. The focus was on actively promoting collaboration through co-creation, mutual engagement, and ongoing dialogue, where women were not simply contributing independently, but working together toward a shared goal.

By meeting multiple times, we were able to reinforce the value of communal aspects of storytelling and collectively challenge stigma. It also highlighted that women+’s stories have the potential to serve as catalysts for change, both on a personal level and within their wider community.

Support

At Kairos Women+, in taking a strengths-based approach, we believe that support is meeting people where they’re at, validating their experiences, and providing a listening ear.

Support during anti-stigma mental health focused work is particularly important. People may need extra support to feel safe and comfortable. This might involve offering emotional encouragement to someone who is sharing a vulnerable story, providing further resources, or ensuring that everyone has the tools to contribute fully.

We believe that support must also extend beyond the creative process. Kairos Women+ makes a long-term commitment to the wellbeing of those participating in any of our projects. We follow up and check in with every women+ involved and signpost to alternative spaces for women+ who wish to keep telling their stories creatively.

Women+ should never be left to hold the emotional labour of anti-stigma work alone.

This opinion forms part of a specially commissioned series by the Health and Social Care Academy which reflects learning and insights from the ‘Developing a picture of creative engagement in anti-stigma work’ report. This research builds on previous work undertaken by the ALLIANCE as part of the series ‘Reducing Stigma, Emphasising Humanity’.

*Women+ is used an inclusive label that typically refers to women (including cisgender and transgender women), and non-binary or genderqueer individuals who feel aligned with women’s spaces or have an experience of womanhood.   This terminology reflects our commitment to supporting a diverse range of identities within our community.

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