039: Stigma and My Life’s Epiphany with Rick Strait

038: Breast Selling Author with Holly Bertone
December 6, 2017
040: Resplendent Rudy with Rudy Caseres
January 9, 2018

039: Stigma and My Life’s Epiphany with Rick Strait



Rick Strait is a suicide attempt survivor who currently works as a therapist in Missouri as a Licensed
Professional Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Rick’s passion is working in suicide
prevention and mental health awareness. He is a board member of the Eastern Chapter of Missouri AFSP.
He provides educational trainings including Mental Health First Aid. He has helped organize multiple
Suicide Awareness conferences in Missouri. Rick’s unique ability to bridge his knowledge and experience
provides him with a depth of understanding and practical application to better serve his clients and
create effective programming.

Rick Strait shares his incredible journey on the i’Mpossible Project #podcast #suicideattempt #survivor!

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Time Stamped Notes

  • 2.17 Rick’s passion is suicide prevention and he discloses that he struggled a lot with depression
    as a young man growing up after the death of his brother
  • 2.49 Rick only recently (after decades) shared his suicide attempt with his colleagues, students,
    and friends—and it was incredibly freeing for him and broadened and deepened his work in suicide prevention
  • 4.01 Rick initially was nervous about sharing his lived experience as a suicide attempt survivor
    because of his work in the field of mental health (he thought maybe his work wouldn’t be legitimate or his colleagues/peers would shut him down)
  • 5.40 Rick disclosed his suicide attempt, in part, to let his kids know that they can be safe, they
    can have hope, and they can heal. He doesn’t want anyone to be ashamed of their mental illness or a past suicide attempt
  • 10.35 Having disclosed his suicide attempt and going through the attempt, Rick realizes that he’s
    stronger than he ever knew, and it has helped him empathize with his clients and the pain that they’re in
  • 13.38 Rick’s favorite word is “possible,” his least favorite word is “can’t,” and his spirit animal is a
    wolf (find out why and find out more fun facts about Rick in the Quick Fire Round)

Key Points

  • Storytelling helps normalize taboo topics
  • Storytelling saves lives
  • Storytelling can deepen relationships

Resources or Websites Mentioned

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If outside the U.S., here is a list of crisis lines around the world: www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres

Rick’s email address: Rickstrait777@gmail.com

Rick’s Twitter account: Rickstrait777

Rick’s (and Heather Williams’) blog www.listeningsaveslives.net

Rick Strait is an author in The i’Mpossible Project: Volume 1—Reengaging with Life, Creating a New You: www.iampossibleproject.com/one