Whitney Fishburn
Unsung Heroes: Honoring Mental Health ...

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to highlight the vital yet often unacknowledged role of caregivers. For those who support loved ones experiencing mental health challenges, this month is an opportunity to honor their dedication, recognize their struggles, and empower them with resources.

Unsung Heroes: Honoring Mental Health Caregivers During National Family Caregivers Month
Mens Mental Health, mental health, suicide prevention
Whitney Fishburn
Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed ...

Veterans’ Mental Health: Where We Need to Focus

Veterans face unique mental health challenges that too often go under-addressed, from military sexual trauma and transitional stress to the long-term impact of PTSD. These experiences don’t just affect mental well-being—they can shape every aspect of a Veteran’s life, from personal relationships to reintegration into civilian roles. Yet there is reason to be hopeful: today, more than ever, there’s a focus on empowering Veterans as community and workplace mental health leaders. With evolving peer support programs and resources designed to remove cultural and financial barriers, we’re seeing real progress in providing accessible, culturally competent mental health care. By positioning Veterans at the forefront of these initiatives, we can harness their resilience and leadership, creating stronger communities and workplaces while ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources
Whitney Fishburn
The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive ...

Earlier this year,  I attended the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (ESSSB) in Rome. One of the plenary presentations by Prof Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, of the Medical University of Vienna,  illuminated the powerful impact of the “Papageno Effect” on suicide prevention. 

The Papageno Effect: Harnessing Positive Storytelling for Hope and Recovery in Suicide Prevention
Whitney Fishburn
Want to combat mental health stigma? Don't say ...

It seems that any time we hear the words “suicide” or “mental health”, the word stigma follows right after.  The word “stigma”, according to the Oxford Dictionary, means a “mark of disgrace”.

Instead of talking about stigma incessantly, let’s stop to consider how by focusing on it, we ensure it stays in place, forever associated with mental health challenges. The net result is that people who are struggling are all too often reluctant to seek help, since they are constantly reminded that having a mental health issue is a mark of disgrace. 

What if we reframe stigma as a form of bias, rather than something to be ashamed of? Doing so would help normalize help-seeking for mental health concerns, creating the expectation that getting help is reasonable and even preferable.  

Want to combat mental health stigma? Don't say ‘stigma’!
suicide prevention, workplace mental health
Sally Spencer-Thomas
I Didn't Get the Jock Genes—Why I Still Find ...

Growing up in a family of natural athletes, I always felt like the odd one out, struggling to find my place in the world of sports. But when I discovered running, everything changed. This blog explores how running became more than just exercise for me—it became a powerful tool for self-care, resilience, and finding peace.

I Didn't Get the Jock Genes—Why I Still Find Running an Important Part of My Self-Care Strategy

Mental Health

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Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources

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Veterans in the Spotlight: Under-Addressed Mental Health Challenges and Effective Resources

Veterans’ Mental Health: Where We Need to Focus

Veterans face unique mental health challenges that too often go under-addressed, from military sexual trauma and transitional stress to the long-term impact of PTSD. These experiences don’t just affect mental well-being—they can shape every aspect of a Veteran’s life, from personal relationships to reintegration into civilian roles. Yet there is reason to be hopeful: today, more than ever, there’s a focus on empowering Veterans as community and workplace mental health leaders. With evolving peer support programs and resources designed to remove cultural and financial barriers, we’re seeing real progress in providing accessible, culturally competent mental health care. By positioning Veterans at the forefront of these initiatives, we can harness their resilience and leadership, creating stronger communities and workplaces while ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

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Election Eve -- Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

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Election Eve -- Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

In the United States stand on the eve of a high-stakes, tight election. It’s natural to feel emotions running high. For many, this moment brings a sense of urgency, uncertainty, and even strain as we navigate a deeply divided time. This division can challenge our relationships and our sense of belonging, sometimes even driving wedges between cherished loved ones.

Tonight, let’s remember that regardless of outcome, our shared humanity remains. Practicing civility can help keep us grounded and connected during this challenging time.

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Are you looking for personalized mental health support apps?

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Are you looking for personalized mental health support apps?

Discover the top cloud-based mental health apps of 2024, categorized into resilience, early intervention, and intensive support. Explore SaaS solutions like Calm, Talkspace, BetterHelp, and more, offering personalized care for individuals and employers to enhance mental well-being anytime, anywhere.

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The 988 Launch – How are We Considering the Needs of Historically Marginalized Communities?

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The 988 Launch – How are We Considering the Needs of Historically Marginalized Communities?

About 12 million adults seriously consider suicide each year. For those ages 10 to 34, suicide is the second most common cause of death. Substance use challenges, addictive behaviors, trauma and complicated grief often lead to tremendous despair and disruption for individuals, families and communities.

Recognizing these and other statistics, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in 2020. The bill established means for a new, federally and state-funded network of suicide prevention centers that Americans could call with a 3-digit code: 988.

Now—after years of careful planning—the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launches nationwide on July 16, 2022.

Guest panelists from several areas of mental health advocacy joined Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas on June 23, 2022 for an #ElevateTheConvo Twitter chat about the initiative.

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6 Tools to Mitigate Burnout – Individual and Organizational Solutions

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6 Tools to Mitigate Burnout – Individual and Organizational Solutions

Burnout plagues workers, parents, students, and countless others. According to SHRM[1], in 2021 47.8 million workers quit their jobs, making the monthly average almost four million and the highest resignation rate on record. Fortune[2] reported that for 30% of workers left behind getting work done is a significant challenge, resulting many feeling decreasing loyalty as everyone fights for the war for talent.

Many speculate that this great churn in labor is the result of crippling burnout.

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Denver-based Business, Nonprofit and Musicians Partner to put Mental Health in the Spotlight

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Denver-based Business, Nonprofit and Musicians Partner to put Mental Health in the Spotlight

There is perhaps no better way to build a community around difficult challenges and loss than to bring people together to let them know that they are not alone, at least that is the hope that Dazzle owner Donald Rossa and United Survivor’s Board President, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas are operating under for Monday night's special fundraiser.

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The Long Haul -- COVID-19, Prolonged Toxic Stress & Mental Health at Work: The Bad News, the Good News & 10 Action Steps Employers Can Take that Make a Difference

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The Long Haul -- COVID-19, Prolonged Toxic Stress & Mental Health at Work: The Bad News, the Good News & 10 Action Steps Employers Can Take that Make a Difference

As we approach 2021, we are still adjusting to the many new ways the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting just about every aspect of our lives. Many are asking -- How has COVID-19 impacted workplace wellbeing? Are we facing a “perfect storm” of risk factors for suicide or are there aspects of this crisis that give us hope in our resilient human spirit? Finally, what can workplaces do during this time to support workers and their families?

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“Suicidal Intensity”: An Emerging Preferred Term to Describe Experiences with Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

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“Suicidal Intensity”: An Emerging Preferred Term to Describe Experiences with Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

“Suicide ideation” — that’s what mental health providers usually call it. 

To the general public, this often sounds “jargony”. They say, “ideation — like what do you mean…like thoughts?” And we say, “Yeah…like thoughts…”

And they say, “Well then just say thoughts…” 

“Thoughts” though, don’t really capture the experience fully for most people…

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RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: Mental Health in the Workplace

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RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: Mental Health in the Workplace

Are you in HR? An employment lawyer? Someone with lived experience with mental health or suicide who was working at the time you experienced a mental health issue while employed? If so — we want to hear from you! Please, take our 15-20 minute survey. This research project is a collaborative effort among Dr. Anthony Fulginiti of the University of Denver, Judge (Ret.) Mary McClatchey, the Employers Council and United Suicide Survivors International (through me!).

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Kicking the Tires of Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 15 Questions Workplaces Should Ask to Strengthen the Mental Health Safety Net

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Kicking the Tires of Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 15 Questions Workplaces Should Ask to Strengthen the Mental Health Safety Net

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) might be one of the best kept secrets for many employers. Instead, EAPs should be resources widely publicized to help encourage managers, employees, and often their family members (when benefits extend to family) so that their support services for personal and workplace problems that have the potential to negatively affect work can promote vibrant workers and mitigate risk. Many employers simply “check the box” when signing up for this benefit, figuring health insurance will cover the mental health needs of their employees; however, most employers really don’t know what the EAP services entail or the value the services can bring to a workplace. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Results from National Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention Guidelines

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Results from National Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention Guidelines

Today the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Workplace Task Force in partnership with United Suicide Survivors International and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shared preliminary data from a national survey on workplace suicide prevention.

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One Woman’s Thoughts on Masculinity: Why We All Must Dig Deeper in Our Understanding of What it Means to Be a Man

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One Woman’s Thoughts on Masculinity: Why We All Must Dig Deeper in Our Understanding of What it Means to Be a Man

Given that men in their middle years are dying by suicide at increasingly higher rates, I spend much of my time speaking and training in male-dominated industries like construction, transportation, veteran and first responder communities. The men I have met along the way have taught me much about resilience and honor…

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Innovative Ways to #ElevateTheConvo on Fatherhood Engagement and Well-being

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Innovative Ways to #ElevateTheConvo on Fatherhood Engagement and Well-being

I’ve been looking forward to the Dad 2.0 Summit for months. 
Not just because it was hosted in New Orleans at the beginning of Mardi Gras…
Not just because I got an opportunity to reconnect with some inspiring thought leaders who are there to support men in becoming the best fathers they can be…
Not just because my “krewe” was there to reveal some powerful stories of hope from our “Guts, Grit and the Grind” men’s mental health anthology…
But also because, the Dad 2.0 Summit exemplifies what it means to engage an army that successfully fights for a cause....
 

From Vegas to Columbine to Workplace Violence: Understanding the Complexities Surrounding Murder-Suicide

From Vegas to Columbine to Workplace Violence: Understanding the Complexities Surrounding Murder-Suicide

In the aftermath of the October 1st, 2017 massacre in Las Vegas, which left 58 people dead and more than 500 others injured, we have more questions than answers, and we are wondering -- even more than usual –- what would drive someone to do that?

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Stoicism, Stress and Suicide among Farmers

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Stoicism, Stress and Suicide among Farmers

The stoicism of farmers helps them power through hardship and harsh environmental conditions often in great isolation, but when it comes to their mental health, this power through approach can be life threatening. It’s not surprising then that “farming, fishing and forestry” is the industry with the highest suicide rates (McIntosh et al, 2016)...

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Leadership and Mental Health Initiatives: Denver Fire Department Case Study

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Leadership and Mental Health Initiatives: Denver Fire Department Case Study

Firefighters are a unique breed. They run into burning buildings when everyone else is trying to escape. They respond to gruesome medical calls. And they do it all as a team. There’s a brother/sisterhood that comes with being part of this elite crew, and while there are many positive things that result from that connection, it can also create a tough guy mentality that leads them to believe they can’t or shouldn’t seek outside help when they’re struggling. As one firefighter told me, “We literally depend on each other’s lives to be mentally sound. It is our strength to compartmentalize, stay decisive, and move on that is valued in this work.”

Get Ready for National Suicide Prevention Week: How to Effectively Message about Suicide

Get Ready for National Suicide Prevention Week: How to Effectively Message about Suicide

Question: Is our hyper-focus on “safe messaging” getting in the way of “effective messaging”?...

For years, suicide prevention advocates have focused on “safe messaging,” a series of do’s and don’ts that emphasize help-seeking and discourage mentioning suicide details. The goal of these suggestions is to avoid triggering vulnerable people to over-identify with suicide as a way to escape their emotional pain. Many of these tips – like don’t glamorize or romanticize suicide --are beneficial, and we certainly don’t want our content to cause harm. But I and many others are starting to recognize that a single-minded focus on "safe messaging" may be getting in the way of us being effective in our communication....