the eye of the survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psy.D.Impact Entrepreneur
www.SallySpencerThomas.com | [email protected]
The Eye of the Survivor
Why Storytelling Matters in Suicide Prevention
![Page 2: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
![Page 3: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
• Acknowledgement of Country
• Lived Expertise
• Gratitude
• Self-care
• Social media: #ElevateTheConvo
• TEDx Talk “Stopping Suicide with Story”
• Hope Illuminated Podcast
@sspencerthomas @DrSallySpeaks @sspencerthomas
![Page 4: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Carson Spencer 1969-2004
![Page 5: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Goals1. Why personal stories in suicide
prevention?– For storyteller– For listener– For society
2. Effective story structure3. Safe & trauma-informed messaging
![Page 6: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Why Do We Tell Our Stories?
Join US: www.UniteSurvivors.org@UniteSurvivors
![Page 7: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Storyteller Listener
Culture
![Page 8: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Science and Stigma
![Page 9: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Good for the Storyteller
Narrative Psychology
Impose structure on chaos
Self-empowerment
Build community
Coherent and redemptive = healing
![Page 10: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Good for the Listeners
“Angel’s Cocktail” (David Phillips) –hormones release
Dopamine increases focus and motivation when we build suspense
Oxytocin increases bonding and trust when we create empathy
Endorphins helps people relax and become more creative when we make them laugh
![Page 11: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Brains Hardwired for Stories
• 150K years of evolution
• Neural story net
• “Makes sense” mandate
Stanford School of Business
![Page 12: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
![Page 13: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Good for culture“Neither revolution nor reformation can ultimately change a society, rather
you must tell a more powerful tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps away
the old myths and becomes the preferred story…” ~Ivan Illich
![Page 14: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Jode
![Page 15: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Perceived
Burdensomeness
Thwarted
Belongingness
Before you start
• Tell therapist or sponsor• Get speaker buddy (NSA/Toastmasters)• Self-care• Get supplies: notebook, recording device• Sculptor mindset
![Page 16: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Structure of Story
• Core message• Three support stories to support three main points
(short, medium and long versions)• Heart story: Hero’s Journey• Bring recovery to life
![Page 17: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Heart Story
• Intense intimacy and solidarity• Speak to a dear friend• Walk right up to tears• Conclude with single call to
action that inspires and motivates
![Page 18: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Hero’s JourneySet the stage
Downward spiral & darkest day
Turning point
Guides & Magic
Trials &
tribulations
Great reward
![Page 19: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Trauma-informed Storytelling & Safe Messaging
• 20/80 ratio despair to hope
• Helpful resources/healing action explained: why did they work?
• Avoid:
✓ Trauma porn
✓ Pejorative language
✓ Glamorizing/romanticizing
✓ Description of means or “hotspot”
![Page 20: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Great examples
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrMahogany/videos
![Page 21: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
1. Engage the media2. Educate legislators3. Influence leaders
Social Justice Movement of
Our Times
![Page 22: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Perceived
Burdensomeness
Thwarted
Belongingness
Join United Survivors
• www.unitesurvivors.org
• Twitter: @UniteSurvivors• Facebook: @UniteSurvivors
• YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/K58P8Cu8pqI
![Page 23: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
![Page 24: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
![Page 25: The Eye of the Survivor - mentalhealthacademy.co.uk](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020621/61e881f14d39545d072a1576/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
THANK YOU!Stay connectedSally Spencer-Thomas, Psy.D.Impact Entrepreneur
www.SallySpencerThomas.com
Facebook: @DrSallySpeaksTwitter: @sspencerthomas