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Episodes
Friday Nov 13, 2020
Friday Nov 13, 2020
Entrepreneurs, take your mental health seriously because the life of your company depends on it!
Our guest today: Sally Spencer-Thomas, President of United Suicide Survivors International
Sally Spencer-Thomas is a clinical psychologist, inspirational international speaker and an impact entrepreneur. Dr. Spencer-Thomas was moved to work in suicide prevention after her younger brother, a Denver entrepreneur, died of suicide after a difficult battle with bipolar condition.
Today we discuss:
- Why it is critical that you prioritize your mental health
- The 3 components of a strong mental health practice that you can build into your company
My entrepreneurial journey has been a plethora of highs and lows… At times:
- Question my purpose
- Question my judgement
- Manifested extreme confidence followed by imposter syndrome
My saving grace: Having an outlet of physical & mental stimulation outside of business
- Jiu jitsu
Challenge today?
- Cannot let mental unwellness show to investors or competitors
- Extreme self-reliance
- Can not take a mental health day
- When things go down it is on you
- When it crashes it is on you
- A lot of pressure
- Isolation: Tend to be lone rangers
- Competition for funding, being first to market,
- Less likely to reach out for support
- Evidence that we live on the bipolar spectrum, susceptible to maina: https://www.bphope.com/entrepreneurs-success-bipolar/
Why is this important to the company?
- The entrepreneur is the essence of the company.
- You have to keep yourself well because it is on you
- People’s holistic health keeps people engaged in the company
- Talent will not stick around if they are not getting broader opportunities to find a passion for living beyond work
How do we build mental health practice into your company?
- Appreciating that our mental wellbeing is part of our overall asset to the wellbeing of the company.
- Understanding of your own mental health and how best to promote the wellbeing of others.
- Upstream about driving a culture of care -- attract and retain talent, long-arc of productivity and success
Upstream - Building protective factors, resilience as strong at it can be -- modeling self-care
- Eating, exercising, sleep
- Having the a team of the ready
- Front end your day with as much personal wellbeing investment as possible
- Walking the dog touches many aspects of wellness
Midstream - Catching things early
- Before they become catastrophic -- what are the early warning signs that the wheels are wobbling.
- Measures put in place to course correct
- https://www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org/
Downstream - Where do we turn? Resources we have access to
- Dealing with the crisis in our lives
- What is the plan
- Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/ text HELLO to 741741
- iRel8: https://irel8.org/
Key Takeaways:
- Commitment to investing in your health first
- Check out when your brain is not sharp
- Having a plan for crisis (personal)
- Kick the tires of mental health resources before you need them
Links
Guest website and social media platforms:
https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/
TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sally_spencer_thomas_stopping_suicide_with_story
Entrepreneurs and mental health video: https://youtu.be/qrWbePKB-6A
Article: Prevent start-up suicide. Literally. Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/271435
Article: Entrepreneurs And Suicide Risk: A New Perspective On Entrapment Provides Hope. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/prudygourguechon/2018/08/23/entrepreneurs-and-suicide-a-new-perspective-on-entrapment-gives-hope/?sh=2b2e3cbb5385
Article: The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship. Inc. https://www.inc.com/magazine/201309/jessica-bruder/psychological-price-of-entrepreneurship.html
Carson’s story: https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/history/
https://www.facebook.com/DrSallySpeaks/
https://twitter.com/sspencerthomas
https://www.instagram.com/sspencerthomas/
https://www.pinterest.com/sallyspencertho/boards/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfr2b_0rxSsItOgo021ykkw?view_as=subscriber
Facebook @WorkplaceSuicidePrevention
Twitter @WorkSuicidePrev
Insta: @WorkplaceSuicidePrevention
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOjL6-clq63_G9X_F7Wp1mQ