Untold Stories of UNSW
Real stories, by real people
Untold Stories is a lived experience storytelling project where UNSW students and staff share their personal experiences and journey to recovery to help and inspire others going through similar experiences.
The experience shared in these stories are true to the individual. They cover topics including stigma, discrimination, suicide ideation, mental ill-health, discorded eating, transphobia, racism, gendered violence and more. Should any of the content be triggering support is available through UNSW.
In some instances, the names and images of those included have been altered to protect the identity of the individuals involved.
Have your own story to share?
The Living Poetry Project
Relationships: they can be so different for each of us. They come in many forms. They can be easy, messy, gritty, complex, challenging and joyous. This is the essence of being human.
The Living Poetry Project grew from an idea of placing relationships at the heart of our art. We asked four students to delve into their lived experience, who took inspiration from their own story and relationships, to compose a written piece to share with you during SEXtember. These words are their living poetry.
The final love poem was threaded together and created into a video work to be explored by you. Greater than the sum of its parts, this is a true nod to relationships that are both Salty and Sweet.
Surviving to Thriving
Aaron’s Story
Facing a potential jail sentence, Aaron was prompted to confront past traumas. After being diagnosed with ADHD, medication brought clarity, igniting a passion for neuroscience. Embracing neurodiversity, Aaron found purpose and gratitude.
Family Ties and Cultural Taboos
Winnie's Story
Winnie grew up with a mother diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and Parkinsons disease. Despite cultural taboos, her family supported each other, fostering deeper connections. Through it, she learned the importance of self-care and destigmatising mental health.
Living with Gastritis
Inuli's Story
Living with gastritis since childhood, the excruciating pain often left Inuli bedridden. A diagnosis, self-care and resilience helps Inuli to manage the chronic pain.
Don’t tell me to *weight*
Isabelle’s Story
Isabelle grapples with disordered eating and obsessive exercise habits rooted in toxic diet culture. Seeking help, they embark on a journey of healing and relearning intuitive eating and exercise.
A Health Anxiety Journey
Emma’s Story
Emma candidly shares her journey with health anxiety. Emma's story embodies resilience and the transformative power of seeking help.
Vulnerability is Strength
Deborah’s Story
In a society where mental health is stigmatised, Deborah openly discusses her depression and anxiety to break the taboo. By sharing her journey, she hopes to empower others to seek help and find strength in vulnerability.
Postnatal Anxiety to Self-Acceptance
Jess’ Story
Jess reflects on her realisation that her postnatal depression and anxiety, were a long-standing struggle. Seeking help, she embraces psychology and explores neurodivergence, advocating for self-acceptance and navigating mental health with resilience.
Perseverance - A Journey to Understand Myself
Lucy’s Story
For 21 years, Lucy struggled with exhaustion, feelings of inadequacy, and depression. Finally diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and later ADHD, finding understanding and treatment has been life-changing.
Embracing Self-Discovery: A Journey
Maryanne’s Story
As an Ally@UNSW, a Mental Health First Aider and a member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Staff Consultative Group, Maryanne embraces her neurodiversity and diverse sexual orientation. She finds self-acceptance, empowerment, and purpose at UNSW, advocating for inclusivity.
A Day with Anorexia Nervosa
Anonymous
During year 12, I felt pressure to excel academically. Controlling food intake became a coping mechanism, but with support from my mother and friends, recovery became possible.
The C-Word
Axel’s Story
As a PhD candidate and storyteller, Axel discusses both spoken and unspoken topics. Axel shares their experience of coming out as transgender at 12 years old.
From Tough Exterior to Vulnerable Growth
Nayonika’s Story
As the SRC president in 2022 and Student Minds lead, Nayonika was a familiar face on campus. Their advocacy work and passion for student welfare and wellbeing drove innovation and change across the campus. Their story highlights the need to check in with those we see as the ‘strong friend’ or the ‘tough one’, especially during challenges like the pandemic.
Living with HIV
Richard’s Story
“Even in darkness there is so much hope”
Listen to Richard’s story to hear about the challenges of sexual violence and living with HIV.
Anxiety & COVID-19
Bonnie’s Story
When everything changed due to COVID-19, Bonnie found herself feeling incredibly overwhelmed and riddled with uncertainty. Bonnie shares her mental health journey during this time of transition.
Out and Queer in Korea
Sujin’s Story
Sujin shares her experience of coming out as pansexual to her parents and navigating being queer in Korea. Listen to Sujin’s story of how she found out she was pansexual and all the ups and downs that occurred after coming out.
A Woman’s Place
Rose’s Story
Listen to Rose’s story on how she overcomes the stigma and shame ingrained into her parent's beliefs of a woman's place in this world.
Tales of resilience
Various authors
Explore this series of video stories that discuss strategies students, staff and Alumni use to manage living with mental ill-health.
Untold Stories is an initiative coordinated by the UNSW Health Promotion Unit (HPU). The HPU team thank all the UNSW students and staff who have given us permission to share their stories.
Content Warning: Conversations about mental health and mental illness can sometimes be difficult but you don’t need to face it alone. Find the support you need by contacting UNSW Mental Health Connect.