In this episode of Hope Illuminated, join Sally Spencer Thomas in a profound exploration of nursing resilience and suicide prevention with Christopher Wojnar. As a professional registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, Christopher brings a unique perspective to the conversation, sharing his personal journey of overcoming adversity and advocating for mental health awareness within the healthcare workforce.
Christopher opens up about his turbulent adolescence, marked by struggles with bullying and multiple suicide attempts. Despite facing overwhelming emotional pain, Christopher found resilience and a renewed sense of purpose in helping others. His journey from surviving suicide attempts to becoming a passionate advocate for mental health demonstrates the transformative power of lived experiences.
The conversation delves into the critical importance of addressing healthcare professionals' emotional well-being, particularly in the context of suicide prevention. Christopher shares insights into the stigma and internalized biases that often hinder discussions about mental health within healthcare settings. Through his work on peer support initiatives and workplace suicide prevention programs, Christopher highlights actionable strategies for fostering a culture of support and understanding.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by nursing professionals and the importance of prioritizing mental health in the healthcare workforce. Christopher's story serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to embrace vulnerability, seek support, and advocate for positive change within their communities.
Tune in to this episode of Hope Illuminated to discover how resilience, empathy, and peer support can make a profound difference in suicide prevention and mental health promotion among healthcare providers.
More about Christopher
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.
Takeaways
Nursing resilience empowers mental health advocacy in healthcare communities.
Explore nursing resilience and workplace peer support in mental health.
Contact Christopher
Email: Christopher.Wojnar@aah.org
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".