In this enlightening episode of the Headspace for the Workplace podcast, I have a thought-provoking discussion with Christopher Wojnar, an impassioned nurse and advocate for workplace mental health and suicide prevention. Christopher shares his remarkable journey of resilience, from overcoming personal struggles with suicide attempts to dedicating his life to supporting others in crisis.
Throughout the episode, Christopher emphasizes the crucial importance of understanding the current state of workplace mental health initiatives and leveraging the power of lived experience to drive effective interventions. Drawing from his own journey, he highlights the need for organizations to prioritize psychological safety and empower employees to contribute to meaningful change.
Listeners are invited to explore practical strategies for creating psychologically safe workplaces and fostering a culture of support and inclusion. Christopher's heartfelt insights and unwavering dedication encourages listeners to take proactive steps towards building healthier, more resilient workplaces for all.
Tune in to this important episode and join the movement for workplace well-being and suicide prevention.
More about Christopher Wojnar
Christopher is a dedicated professional nurse with a focus on Critical Care and Surgical Services, blending expertise with a commitment to suicide prevention and mental health, especially within the workplace. As a passionate keynote speaker, he shares inspirational insights, drawing from personal experiences to instill hope and address critical issues such as nurse suicide, healthcare worker well-being, resilience, and proactive help-seeking. Currently pursuing a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree (Class of 2024), he also served as the chair of a large hospital system's nursing governance council advocating for 22,000 nurses providing exceptional care to communities across the Midwest. He is actively involved in implementing the Zero Suicide Framework, is Mental Health First Aid and QPR Gatekeeper Certified, and proudly advocates for the strength of peer connection and support.
Connecting with Christopher:
Email: Christopher.Wojnar@aah.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-wojnar-rn
Show Notes:
National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention - https://workplacesuicideprevention.com/ "A call to action to all workplaces and professional associations — now is the time to implement the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention."
Helping Our People Elevate Through Tough Times (H.O.P.E. Certification) - https://www.hopecertification.com/ "Similar to what LEED Certification does for promoting environmental health in organizations, H.O.P.E. Certification provides a path to psychological health and safety at work. By participating in H.O.P.E. Certification, you clearly demonstrate your commitment to worker well-being to your current and prospective workers."
American Nurses Association - Nurse Suicide Prevention/Resilience - Preventing Nurse Suicide and Increasing Resilience | ANA (nursingworld.org) "We need to change our perspective to normalize conversations about mental health and wellness. Creating an atmosphere of acceptance and empathy can send the message: “It’s okay to not be okay”. Suicide is preventable. To stop nurses from dying by suicide, we must accept that suicide happens and implement best practices to mitigate the risk".