Dyslexia & Me is a new global campaign initiative where Succeed With Dyslexia will be exploring the narratives of dyslexic people when it comes to mental health, and exploring just what mental health can mean to the global dyslexia community in 2022. The campaign will centre on deep-dive media on the relationships between dyslexia and mental health, raising awareness and changing global mindsets for a more open and accessible future, and will work towards developing a better public understanding of the importance of diagnosis and challenging accepted mental health norms in the workplace and in education. The campaign will also feature first-hand narratives truly bring the narrative back to the people whose lived experience is affected by dyslexia on a daily basis, as well as provide engaging, practicable strategies to reach out and connect with resources and support designed for people on their dyslexia and mental health journeys.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this campaign by Succeed With Dyslexia is born from the need to explore the hidden side of dyslexia and literacy differences. A large amount of the current conversation surrounding dyslexia focuses on economic, educational and societal futures, and how best to support the physical aspects of reading with assistive technology and reading aids. Dyslexia & Me aims to underpin those vital support methodologies by fostering a better understanding of the mental health needs of a diverse and growing community as well, so that support strategies can move in two directions, both outward and into the workplace and education, and inward, into the everyday mental health needs of the 10-15% of people all over the world who have dyslexia.
A series of national lockdowns, pandemic living and learning, and a period of great global change has led many people all over the world to reflect more on their mental health and wellbeing; however not all of the narratives that are taking precedence at the moment zero in on the neurodiverse experience, and the different ways that people who have dyslexia, autism and ADHD/ADD may have felt their mental health was impacted upon by ongoing adverse global conditions. Dyslexia & Me aims to create a safe space and a dedicated support repository for people with dyslexia to feel seen, have their say, and have their specific concerns heard and discussed in a global way.
If you’d like to find out more, head over to our Dyslexia & Me hub.