Our Own Words shows that people experiencing extreme states of mental distress - often termed ‘mental illness’ - hold diverse perspectives on the nature of their experiences. The writers create meaning within the complex process of navigating ways to live with, through and beyond mental and emotional distress. These stories reveal many counter-narratives: challenges to widespread notions that equate extreme states of emotional distress with illness and pathology; challenges to predominant beliefs about how others ought to respond.Our Own Words represents a compelling contribution to an emerging ‘lived experience’ knowledge base. These first-person narratives offer many opportunities for people experiencing mental and emotional distress, service providers, educators, families and communities to foster meaningful, supportive and effective ways of both understanding and responding to these very human experiences.