This Is My Brave

This Is My Brave is a nonprofit organization focused on reducing stigma around mental illness and substance use through personal storytelling. Founded in Virginia, the organization operated from 2014 to 2024 and developed This Is My Brave: The Show, a live theatrical event where people share their experiences with mental illness, substance use disorder, and related challenges. By bringing these stories to an audience, the shows aim to encourage open conversation and help people feel less alone.

Productions are created locally, often by volunteer teams or nonprofit organizations that share This Is My Brave’s mission and vision. The organization offers resources for people interested in producing a show, and invites individuals to share their stories, join its community, and watch past performances. Its broader vision is a world where speaking openly about mental illness is ordinary rather than labeled brave. This Is My Brave is now available as a public mental health intervention through the University of South Florida’s Stigma Action Research Lab, extending its storytelling-based approach beyond its original productions.