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.

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

Yes

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* 2. How old are you?

18-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+

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* 3. How do you identify?

Male

Female

Nonbinary

Prefer to self-describe below

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

White or Caucasian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Asian or Asian American

American Indian or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

Another race

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* 5. In what country do you live?

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* 6. With which industry have you worked in the most?

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting

Mining, Quarrying, And Oil and Gas Extraction

Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation and Warehousing

Utilities

Information

Finance and Insurance

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Management of Companies and Enterprises

Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services

Educational Services

Health Care and Social assistance

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Accommodation and Food Services

Other Services

Public Administration

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Experiences with Mental Health Challenges, Addictive Behaviors and Suicide (check all that apply):

I've been close to someone who was fighting suicidal thoughts, addictive behaviors, or mental health challenges.

I’ve lost a co-worker to suicide, overdose or the consequences of addiction.

I’ve lived with/am living with/am in recovery from a substance use problem (alcohol, drugs) or other addictive behavior (gambling/spending, sex/porn, food, etc.).

I’ve lost a loved one to overdose (friend or family member).

I’ve attempted suicide.

Suicide, addictions or mental health issues have not shown up in my life.

I’ve experienced mental health problems (depression, anxiety, etc.) or significant distress.

I've been impacted by a suicide death of someone who was not a loved one, client, vendor or co-worker.

I’ve lost a loved one to the consequences of addiction (other than overdose) (friend or family member).

I've lost a loved one to suicide (friend or family member).

I've thought about suicide.

I've lost a client or vendor to suicide.

Other (please specify)

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

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* 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”

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

Yes

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* 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

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

The part of us that lives on beyond death

Other (please specify)

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

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* 12. What types of experiences do you think could cause someone to experience “Soul Exhaustion”?

A sense of not belonging

Job strain (low autonomy, low variety, poor effort-reward ratio)

Oppression/racism/homophobia/sexism/discrimination

Feeling misperceived

Break up of a relationship

Exposure to violence

Incarceration

Work/Life Imbalance

Professional burnout

Homelessness

Betrayal of trust

Mental illness

Grief/loss

Loneliness

Financial hardship

Trauma

Parenting / Elder care

Unemployment

Bullying/Hazing/Harassment

Layoffs/Getting Fired

Caregiving for others

Compassion fatigue

Conflict with your supervisor or boss

Other (please specify)

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* 13. What types of things (Soul Care) do you think could best help to repair a person’s Soul Exhaustion? (check all that apply)

Engaging with Faith Community

Storytelling/sharing experiences with others

Quiet/Time to one’s self

Social Connection/Friendship

Practical Supports (housing, employment)

Making meaning of one’s hardships

Mental Health Counseling

Epic journeys/adventures

Meditation

Being in Nature

Making or Experiencing Art (music, poetry, art, theater)

Deep gratitude

Being with Animals

Connecting to ancestors

Medication

Finding Forgiveness

Spirituality or Faith

Other (please specify)

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

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

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* 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.

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* 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)

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* 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)

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* 19. If you believe your soul was impacted, please consider the most intense mental health challenge or suicide loss experience and tell us how (MATRIX)

	Soul significantly harmed	Soul slightly harmed	Soul neither helped nor harmed	Soul slightly helped	Soul significantly helped	N/A
Co-workers’ Response	Co-workers’ Response Soul significantly harmed	Co-workers’ Response Soul slightly harmed	Co-workers’ Response Soul neither helped nor harmed	Co-workers’ Response Soul slightly helped	Co-workers’ Response Soul significantly helped	Co-workers’ Response N/A
Supervisor(s)’ Response	Supervisor(s)’ Response Soul significantly harmed	Supervisor(s)’ Response Soul slightly harmed	Supervisor(s)’ Response Soul neither helped nor harmed	Supervisor(s)’ Response Soul slightly helped	Supervisor(s)’ Response Soul significantly helped	Supervisor(s)’ Response N/A
Top Leadership’s Response	Top Leadership’s Response Soul significantly harmed	Top Leadership’s Response Soul slightly harmed	Top Leadership’s Response Soul neither helped nor harmed	Top Leadership’s Response Soul slightly helped	Top Leadership’s Response Soul significantly helped	Top Leadership’s Response N/A
HR Response	HR Response Soul significantly harmed	HR Response Soul slightly harmed	HR Response Soul neither helped nor harmed	HR Response Soul slightly helped	HR Response Soul significantly helped	HR Response N/A
EAP (employee assistance program) response	EAP (employee assistance program) response Soul significantly harmed	EAP (employee assistance program) response Soul slightly harmed	EAP (employee assistance program) response Soul neither helped nor harmed	EAP (employee assistance program) response Soul slightly helped	EAP (employee assistance program) response Soul significantly helped	EAP (employee assistance program) response N/A

The "Soul" and Suicide Experiences at Work Survey

Overview of Project

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

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* 2. How old are you?

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* 3. How do you identify?

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

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* 5. In what country do you live?

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* 6. With which industry have you worked in the most?

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* 7. Experiences with Mental Health Challenges, Addictive Behaviors and Suicide (check all that apply):

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

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

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

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

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* 12. What types of experiences do you think could cause someone to experience “Soul Exhaustion”?

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* 13. What types of things (Soul Care) do you think could best help to repair a person’s Soul Exhaustion? (check all that apply)

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

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

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

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

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* 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?

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* 19. If you believe your soul was impacted, please consider the most intense mental health challenge or suicide loss experience and tell us how (MATRIX)

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

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

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