The "Soul" and Suicide Experiences at Work Survey

Overview of Project

Thank you for taking this survey. The overall goal of our project is to understand the ways in which people have experienced mental health challenges, addictive behavior and suicide and how the workplace has helped or hindered these experiences. An individual’s concept of the soul and beliefs are often neglected when planning how to help people through difficult times. By providing us with a better understanding of your concept of the soul and your beliefs we are hoping to enhance the ways in which an individual's needs are being met.

This survey is completely voluntary, anonymous and confidential. By completing it, you give us consent to use the findings in developing presentations and workshops and writing journal articles. There is no compensation for your participation in this survey. You can skip questions or opt out at any time.

There is not believed to be any harmful consequences to participating in this survey but should you find yourself in distress, The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988 (or visit https://988lifeline.org/).

Who is facilitating this project?

Sarah Gaer, MA Suicide Prevention and Trauma Specialist

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psychologist & President of United Suicide Survivors International

Here is our contact, if you have questions or concerns about this project, or if you would like to share additional information with us:

Sally Spencer-Thomas: (Cell) 720-244-6535 | SallySpencerThomas@gmail.com |www.SallySpencerThomas.com.
Sarah Gaer: (Cell) 413-896-0685 sarahgaer@gmail.com : www.sarahgaer.com

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts with us.

1.I understand and consent to the survey as described to me above:

Yes

3.How do you identify?

Male

Female

Nonbinary

Prefer to self-describe below

4.How do you identify? (race/ethnicity) - check all that apply

5.In what country do you live?

NOTE: For the purposes of this survey, from here forward these experiences will be collectively known as “mental health emergencies/challenges”.

8.Were you working at the time you experienced your most impactful mental health emergency/challenge or suicide/overdose loss?

Yes

Understanding of “the Soul”

9.Do you believe that there is such a thing as the SOUL?

Yes

10.Which of the following definitions of the word SOUL do you relate to? (Check all that apply)

The essence of a person’s being (the deepest part of one’s self)

The energy that connects us to our ancestors

The part of us that lives on beyond death

Brain activity – a certain type of awareness about our brain functioning

Other (please specify)

11.In your own words, explain what you think the meaning of the term “Soul Exhaustion” would be?

14.How is “Soul Care” different from “Self Care”?

15.How does “soul care” show up at work?

16.Is there anything that you think could repair soul exhaustion that was not listed above? If so, please share.

Workplace Postvention and the Impact on Soul

NOTE: For the purposes of this survey “mental health emergencies/challenges” include things like depression, anxiety, overwhelm, addictive behaviors, suicidal intensity/behavior, and caregiving for someone experiencing mental health challenges.

17.When you had your mental health emergency/challenge(s), how did your workplace respond in relation to the impact on your soul?

I did not have a mental health emergency/challenge during any time I was employed.

My workplace did not know about my mental health emergency/challenge(s).

My “soul” was not impacted by my mental health emergency/challenge(s).

My "soul" was impacted by the way my workplace responded during or after my mental health emergency/challenge(s).

Other (please specify)

18.When you had your loved one or coworker died by suicide, how did your workplace respond in relation to the impact on your soul?

I did not lose someone to suicide while I was employed.

My workplace did not know about my suicide loss.

My “soul” was not impacted by my suicide loss.

My soul was impacted by the way my workplace responded after my suicide loss.

Other (please specify)

20.What injured or exhausted your soul the most when you consider your workplace’s response?

21.What workplace responses supported your soul or helped your soul heal?

Thank you for your input!

22.Is there anything else you would like to share with us?