Listen now to this important episode with Suzi Craig, Vice President of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America (MHA) , as we explore what really moves the needle in employee well-being. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/67
In this episode we tackle…· What is workplace postvention, and why does it matter after a suicide loss?· How is a suicide postvention protocol different from a workplace crisis response plan?· How can organizations prepare for the emotional impact of suicide in the workplace?· What are the key components of an effective workplace postvention plan?· Why are most workplaces unprepared for suicide bereavement?· How does Alison Clements’ evidence-based model improve postvention responses in high-ris...
If you've ever been told to “suck it up,” “walk it off,” or “leave it at the door,” congratulations! You’ve had a front-row seat to emotional shutdown culture. One that’s usually recognized, reinforced, and modeled by top leadership. In this conversation, I talk with counselor and wilderness enthusiast Russell Peterson about how emotional avoidance, particularly in male-dominated, tough-it-out industries, stems not from weakness but from survival systems that overfunction. The good news? We can ...
Join Jorgen Gullestrup with guest speaker Justin Geange, as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group . Justin Geange is a survivor of a work-related suicide attempt who has since dedicated his life to supporting others. Now a Field Officer with the charity MATES in Construction , Justin shares his powerful story – exploring the circumstances surrounding his attempt, the lessons he’s learned, and how he’s using that experience to help ...
In this episode of Headspace for the Workplace, Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas chats with Michael Wright, a first responder and chaplain, about the importance of recognizing mental health challenges in the workplace. Listen in to discover how Michael's experiences as a paramedic inform his approach to mental health advocacy and why tuning into that "something ain't right" feeling can lead to meaningful intervention. They explore the concept of SAR disease and how leaning into compassionate curiosity c...
Discover actionable strategies for overdose prevention in the workplace in this episode of Headspace for the Workplace with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas and guest Kristina Ewing. Learn how creative benefit planning and easy Narcan implementation can save lives and improve workplace well-being. Tune in for insights on addressing opioid addiction, mental health, and reducing stigma. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/recognizing-the-signs-mental-hea...
Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas interviews Dr. Simon Hatcher from the University of Ottawa about crucial insights from police suicide research and its applications to other high-risk industries. Learn about professional identity threats, effective ways to support struggling colleagues, and strategies for overcoming psychological barriers in workplace mental health conversations. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/lessons-from-police-suicide-research-...
Learn how to maximize your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) beyond basic benefits with John Levy from CCA. Discover strategies for turning your EAP into a strategic workplace partner to improve organizational culture, performance, and employee wellbeing. For mre information on this epid=sode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/the-role-of-eaps-in-creating-psychologically-safe-workplaces-with-the-president-of-cca-john-levy-ep-60...
This week I am joined by Katie Huey, an expert in leadership and organizational development, whose personal journey through loss has fueled her passion for advocating compassionate workplaces. Together, we discuss the profound impact of complicated and disenfranchised grief on individuals and the workplace.For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/from-the-shadows-into-the-light-supporting-complicated-grief-at-work-interview-with-katie-huey-ep-59...
I had the privilege of hosting Army Veteran John Cornelius, who shed light on the critical connection between firearm safety and suicide prevention. With alarming statistics—such as 82% of young people who die by firearm suicide accessing weapons from friends or family—John emphasized the importance of responsible firearm storage in creating safer homes. Drawing from his work with the Firearm Suicide Prevention Grant and personal experiences, he shared actionable insights for workplace leaders, ...
Welcome to a special year-end episode of Headspace for the Workplace, where we take a moment to reflect on the past year, celebrate milestones, and plan for an even more impactful 2025. As we close out 2024, we honor a deeply personal milestone: twenty years since the suicide death of my precious brother, Carson. His memory continues to guide my mission to foster transformative change in workplace mental health and suicide prevention. for more information in this episode go to https://www.sallys...
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Dr. Pierluigi Mancini , a stalwart in promoting mental health awareness for the Spanish-speaking workforce. As we delved into the intricacies of mental health care and its accessibility, it became strikingly clear that we must move beyond mere translation and token gestures. Instead, we need a comprehensive strategy that acknowledges and integrates cultural and linguistic diversity. Dr. Mancini aptly put it: recognizing cultural cues can be the key to ...
My favorite takeaway from the episode was about why managing difficult emotions isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic weapon. This is crucial for leaders who often feel the pressure and weight of expectations. Morra nailed it when she said that many leaders would rather admit to cheating on their taxes than confess to feeling anxious! It's time we shift that mindset and embrace anxiety as a part of leadership. We might just find that those struggles, the very things we've been trying to hid...
I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Tim De Goey all the way from the Sunshine Coast of Australia, and, wow, did we dive deep into an important topic—workplace postvention. If you’re scratching your head on what that is, think of it as the action plan for when your workplace is rocked by a suicide, whether it’s a coworker, a family member, or even a retiree. We’re not talking about sweeping it under the rug; it’s about facing it head-on with empathy and a solid game plan. Tim shared some...
"Whether you are the CEO, the supervisor, or just your co-worker, we need everyone to be comfortable in having that conversation." Where do we start and what do we do after a suicide has impacted our community? This week we have Barb Smith here to discuss Workplace Postvention. If you're not familiar with workplace postvention, trust me, you're not alone. Most workplaces are unprepared for the aftermath of a suicide, and this episode is truly pivotal in changing that. Barb dives into the concret...
Today, we review cultural empathy and building common unity in our workplaces, focused specifically on first responders. My amazing guest, Assistant Chief Manny Almaguer from the Denver Fire Department, brings so much wisdom and personal experience to the table. From his 25 years of service to his transformative work in mental health advocacy. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/lessons-from-the-fire-service-building-cultural-empathy-unity-and-...
Do you know why employees stay at companies? Turns out, it's not all about the money! I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredibly vibrant Shannon Mekeel . Together, we unpacked the critical role of empathy and humanistic management practices in retaining top talent. If you want a workplace where your team thrives, you definitely don't want to miss this episode. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/ep52/5-reasons-beyond-the-paycheck-and-wh...
The conversation today is an often-overlooked topic of financial resilience and recovery, discussing how money problems can profoundly impact our mental health with Rue Stewart. This isn't just an issue that some of us face; financial stress touches many, and it’s high time we discuss ways to cultivate financial wellness in the workplace. For mor information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/ep51/navigating-financial-stress-insights-on-recovery-and-resilience-wit...
I had the pleasure to sit down with Keith Binkley, who brings a wealth of insight about the misconceptions between performance and worth. We cover why we often equate our achievements with love and self-value. He candidly discusses how big life transitions can shake our very foundation and the vital need for support during these times. If you've ever felt like your worth is tied to what you do, you won't want to miss this conversation. Keith opens up about his journey from a high-flying corporat...
Dr. Sally here this week with a solo episode! I want to discuss something that has been increasingly important to me, and that is the roles that workplaces play in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. So often, we make the mistake of thinking that if we simply direct our troubled colleagues to counselors, we’ve done our part. But the reality is far more complex. A workplace can be a profound contributor to an employee’s sense of purpose and well-being, or conversely, a source of signi...
I am joined by the amazing Susan Winchester , author of Healing at Work , with co-author Martha I. Finney. She opened up about a topic that's seldom addressed but so incredibly vital—how our past traumas and dysfunctional patterns can unconsciously shape our careers. The discussion was rich with insights and actionable strategies to help us all step off the Unconscious Wounded Career Path™ and onto the Conscious Healing Career Path™. Susan shared her deeply personal journey from being a high-ach...
I'm honored to have Chris Thompson , the CEO, and founder of Sober Sidekick , join us for an eye-opening discussion. Chris's story is both inspiring and deeply revealing. He takes us back to Thanksgiving Day 2018 when he found a glimmer of hope and support that ultimately led him to create the Sober Sidekick app. With a tagline of "Recovery is a comeback story," Chris's commitment to the recovery community is palpable, and the unexpectedly positive response from app users pushed him to fully ded...
I sat down with Evan Whitehead, an education leader with over 27 years of experience in private, public, and state level education. Evan brought forward the idea that being "selfish" isn't necessarily a negative trait; rather, it's an essential practice for maintaining our wellbeing and effectiveness in both personal and professional realms. We discuss the blueprint for cultivating a healthier work-life balance, particularly in high-stress, human service-oriented professions. Evan's journey from...
Welcome to Part 2 of the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group Episode. Hosts Jorgen Gullestrup and Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas continue their deep dive into workplace mental health and suicide prevention with Tim Irving from OSHA and Dr. John Fitzgerald from WorkSafe New Zealand. The episode uncovers critical insights into how occupational safety and health administrations are evolving to address mental health and psychosocial risks more comprehensively. Tim Irving shares OSHA's re...
Join Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas and Jorgen Gullestrup with guests, Dr John Fitzgerald, Registered Clinical Psychologist and Lead at “Mentally Healthy Work” alongside Timothy Irving, Deputy Director, Directorate of Construction, US DOL/Occupational Safety and Health Administration as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group . Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encou...
In this episode Dr. Geraci shares that one of the crucial aspects of effective leadership is becoming an expert in areas that earn you respect. For him, as a junior infantry officer, this meant mastering the use of his assault rifle. The broader lesson here for workplace leaders is to deeply understand and respect the unique experiences and skills that veterans bring to the table. Dr. Geraci emphasizes the importance of "leadership by walking around" – being present and genuinely engaging with y...
In this week’s episode of "Headspace for the Workplace," Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sat down with Dr. Joel Bennett to explore the critical role of workplace culture and climate in fostering mental health and resilience. Their engaging conversation provided valuable insights and actionable strategies for leaders and organizations committed to creating psychologically safe and vibrant workplaces. for mre infrmation on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/ep43-the-role-of-l...
n this episode of "Headspace for the Workplace," we welcome Kimberly Williams to delve into the high costs of tolerating a "brilliant jerk" in the workplace. Kimberly, a seasoned organizational behavior and HR management expert, will shed light on the real and often overlooked consequences of keeping toxic high-performers on the team. Drawing from her insightful articles on the topic, Kimberly will discuss how brilliant jerks, despite their individual contributions, can stifle innovation, creati...
Join us as Dr. Ruth Riley delves into the sensitive topic of workplace suicide postvention. In this crucial discussion, we explore the support systems and guidance established to help staff cope after the suicide of a colleague. Discover vital insights and resources, including the NHS Suicide Postvention Guidance and the poignant film 'After Them,' which portrays the experiences of three NHS staff members during such difficult times. Read the NHS Postvention Guidance here and watch 'After Them' ...
Have you ever felt alone in a group of people? Have you ever been shunned by work colleagues? Today we are going to explore what it’s like to be "Alone Together," and we are joined by Professor Kayla Follmer of West Virginia University, an expert in occupational health psychology. Our discussion will navigate the often-misunderstood paths of isolation at work —both intentional and unintentional—and their profound impact on suicide risk. Many of us have lived through the painful experiences of wo...
