Understanding mental illness through empathic storytelling: Jake Morgan and Neal Walia at TEDxOU

Jake Morgan and Neal Walia are seeking to show the power of shared experience and how it can bring light to the emotions and thoughts we might never express.

Both pre-med juniors at the University of Oklahoma, Jake and Neal see the inherent value of empathy not only in the occupation of a physician but also in our everyday interactions. Jake is a microbiology and Italian double major who dedicates his time to teaching his peers organic chemistry and the Italian language. When he's not living and breathing peer education, he loves to "couchsurf" around Europe while honing his Italian. Jake plans to teach medical students in the future as a physician with the hope of communicating the significance of empathy in patient-physician interactions. Neal is studying psychology and hopes to utilize the principles in this field to connect with his future patients. A health fanatic, Neal is constantly active whether its break dancing or running around with Siberian husky, Boomer.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[rhettmorgan]

Brave words about an important topic. I'm so proud of these young men for sharing their story.

[monicapatel]

What a great talk this was and it surprises me that it has so few likes. Such talks are powerful, helpful and the need of the hour. Thank you to the speakers for sharing their vulnerability with the audience.

[Adonahue]

Thank You a hundred times over for this speech! For years I have known the history that has lead to my current existence but I have lived the prideful denial of need for help or medication. Substance abuse is high on half of my upbringing but I would never share that where it can be over seen by my friends and family. If by some chance I could partake in this study, it would be a privlige to share my thoughts and emotions written down to those unknown. I would immensely, give whole heartily my attention to reach that feeling of connection with anyone. The extent of my focus in life has been given purely to complete strangers on a retail level. I would love to understand why this is, when less than 20 ft from me stands blood who I feel seperated by reinforced, unbreakable matter.

[brendachacon]

These videos deserve more likes such real life things, i am Bipolar, and it’s definitely a journey of survival

[babynotebookit]

A few weeks ago I was close to attempting suicide. Extremely close. Thankfully I had a friend pull me out of the situation. And it really terrified me. After that I started watching Ted talks and found some that helped me realize that the phrase "you're not alone" isn't just some bullshit made up by the optimists. This talk projects exactly what a lot of people, including my former self don't understand. That I'm not the only person in the entire world that thinks this way, and I feel like that understanding could go a long way for a lot of people. So thank you for making this speech.

[behinddreaming]

This sounds like a fantastic idea and look forward to finding out about how it goes. To both of you, thank you for sharing your story!

[ajaylack]

I needed to see this tonight. I. Have major depression & can't eat food which seems like a daily torture to me. I'm usually good at blocking it out but the voice

[MirekHeikkila]

Thanks, very interesting! Yes we are ALL human, none of us are perfect body or mind, but we all crave a desire to belong, be heard, and most importantly, to be understood.. 

[ellelli]

Wow, that was really insightful and eye opening!  I am really taken and excited by this idea, and I'm very eager to see what this turns into.  P.S:  Part of me hates to diminish the gravity of this talk with something so superficial, but my God Neal.  You are gorgeous.  Just had to say it.  Good luck to you both!

[williambenson]

Good job guys. The  stigma makes it all that much more painful and isolating.

[urzasbouncer]

Is you're project still accepting stories? I see this video was posted over a year ago. I am a paranoid schizophrenic who battles delusions and depression as well. I have had these issues since I was 11. Please leave a reply so I can know if I should still write the story and e-mail it to you.

[kristinajohnsonthorne]

Do you take stories from Australia I have a story that may give a generational point of view of mental illness, suicide, tragic death traumatic brain injury and complex ptsd