Vancouver Island University- M4MH-SV - 12.2.22 - Presentation.pdf

1. @artwithimpact
#Movies4MentalHealth
CREATING SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES
FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
HOSTED BY:
Sign-in here

2. Patricia Mirth, (she/her)
➔ Filipina immigrant and settler
➔ Poet, storyteller, artist
➔ Meditation student, aspiring
Counsellor
➔ Aunty, animal mama, cosy gamer

3. ● Campus workshops
● Monthly short film competition
● Short film production grants
● Global community

4. ● Setting the scene together
● Watch and discuss films, connect our minds
and bodies
● Panel of students and resources with Q&A
● Evaluation (and a chance to enter to
win $25!)
● Mingle

5. ● Mental health is personal – YOU are the expert on
your own experience
● This is a public, shared space
● Some photos will be taken during the panel - please
let us know if you are not comfortable with that
● Please take care of yourself and others
however you need, including asking for help
#Movies4MentalHealth

6. #Movies4MentalHealth
In Just a Few Words...
What has self-care been
looking like for you these days?
● -Playing in the snow ,
● writing poetry
● journaling
● Walking (trying every day)
● pet cuddles
● Napping
●

7. MENTAL HEALTH

8. Mental illness
Mental wellness
MENTAL HEALTH

9. What is Stigma?
A judgment or stereotype that is:
● Always negative
● Always untrue
● Can be internalized

10. Sexual Violence Survivor
#Movies4MentalHealth
• Personal definition

11. Sexual Violence Survivor
#Movies4MentalHealth
• Personal definition
• Someone who has been through a sexual/intimate
experience(s) that was against their wishes and/or
crossed a set boundary and/or left them feeling
violated, unsafe, harmed or coerced

12. Sexual Violence Survivor
#Movies4MentalHealth
• Personal definition
• Someone who has been through a sexual/intimate
experience(s) that was against their wishes and/or
crossed a set boundary and/or left them feeling
violated, unsafe, harmed or coerced
• Expansive definition, there’s a spectrum of SV, and it’s
ok to have feelings about it

13. Sexual Violence Survivor
#Movies4MentalHealth
• Personal definition
• Someone who has been through a sexual/intimate
experience(s) that was against their wishes and/or
crossed a set boundary and/or left them feeling
violated, unsafe, harmed or coerced
• Expansive definition, there’s a spectrum of SV, and it’s
ok to have feelings about it
• Focus on: mental health impacts of sexual violence
(not the event itself) and how community can support
survivors

14. Take a pause
How is this landing?

15. Have you ever seen sexual violence
depicted in the media?
#Movies4MentalHealth
Yes No Can’t Remember
12 2

16. Do you recall seeing depictions of the
violence itself?
#Movies4MentalHealth
Yes No Can’t Remember
13 2

17. Do you recall seeing depictions of the
survivor’s healing process after the
violence?
#Movies4MentalHealth
Yes No Can’t Remember
3 7 2

18. Reflecting on Our Answers to
These Questions:
#Movies4MentalHealth
What are your first thoughts?
● Less depictions of the survivor moving through to
the other side, the healing
● Sometimes you don’t’ see the violence itself, but
you see the outcome
● You see myths in the media, not always true to
actual experiences

19. 1-800-656-4673
By Lauren Plattman
AWI Winner, October 2020
CONTENT HEADS UP
social isolation, mention of sexual assault

20. In small groups…
What did you think?
How did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth

21. SHARE WITH US:
What did you think?
How did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth
-protagonist seemed shy and insecure, closed herself
off, didn’t want to reach out to friends.
-she was focusing elsewhere, burying herself in her work,
and lists.
-making sense of what happened to her, then looking for
resources
-see the protagonist’s strength, knowing something was
wrong and then reaching out to a resource
- protagonist may feel guilt, self-blame, shame
- Pushiness at the start was counterproductive, all the
notifications were overwhelming, friends seemed unsure of
how to support
– SV happens in intimate relationships

22. #Movies4MentalHealth
How might stigma impact survivors
of sexual violence?
● Scared to reach out
● Shame, guilt and self-blame
● Internalize it, start to believe the stigma
● “you make your bed, so you have to lay
in it.”

23. #Movies4MentalHealth
What makes it difficult to reach out
for help?
● Making it public
● Lack resources or not knowing how to
find them
● Speaking about it makes it more real
● the fear of speaking your truth can be
overwhelming
● Fear of judgement
● Worried about the outcome, fallout from
loved ones.
● Interview process in making a report
● Lack of knowledge, afraid losing control
of their story
●

24. Breathing
Exercise

25. Self Reflection:
How was this breathing exercise
for you?
#Movies4MentalHealth

26. Touch Me Don’t Touch Me
By Lucie Rachel
AWI Winner, October 2018
CONTENT HEADS UP
discussion of sexual violence

27. #Movies4MentalHealth
Pair share
What is a word to describe how you’re
feeling right now?

28. #Movies4MentalHealth
If the narrator of the film was your friend
and told you he was sexually assaulted,
what might you say to him?
●I believe you
●It’s okay to have mixed feelings
●I’m so sorry this has happened to you
●I’m here to support you
●You can get through this
●Asking how they would like to be supported
●I’m not sure what to say but I’m here to listen
●There is support out there

29. Mindful Moment /
Movement Break

30. Little Elizabeth
By Elizabeth Ayiku
AWI Winner, February 2018
CONTENT HEADS UP
discussion of trauma and childhood sexual assault

31. #Movies4MentalHealth
What are your impressions?
● Courageous
● Hopeful
● inspired

32. #Movies4MentalHealth
What are some ways we can support
ourselves and others?
●Talking about our own healing journey gives space
to others, lets others know they’re not alone.
●Make ourselves available and know our limitations
●Offer yourself as a support, even if you think they
don’t need it/before the problem
●Not assuming what will help/asking what will
help/support
●Find out the resources in community
●Teaching/learning about consent
●Offering to go with them to resources
●Validating male survivors
●Recognizing that you also need support to support

33. Round of applause for our panel!
#Movies4MentalHealth

34. “Sanctuary Space” virtual discussions
exploring Mental Health through art and film
Live Interviews
with mental health advocates
Opportunities to share your mental health story
on our IG live and other platforms
bit.ly/awi-cc
Scan the QR code to learn more!

35. Hannah Downes (she/her)
Sexualized Violence, Training, Education and Prevention (STEP)
Student Lead
Yee Shi (he/him)
Academic Advisor/Clinical Counsellor, International Education,
Vancouver Island University
Esther Charlie
Program Coordinator Indigenous Informed Sexual Assault
Response Program, Nanaimo Family Life Association
Jennifer Jackson (she/her)
Community Victim Services Coordinator, Haven Society
Janet Hildebrand
RN Btec.Forensic Sciences Forensic Nurse Examiner,
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

36. #Movies4MentalHealth
Ask a question or share a thought!

37. #Movies4MentalHealth
Please fill out the evaluation!
You can enter for a chance to win a $25 gift!
If you are receiving credit for attending this workshop,
at the end of the evaluation, you’ll be prompted to add
your information to a sign-in sheet.
Evaluation responses will remain separate and anonymous.
@artwithimpact | info@artwithimpact.org
bi.ly/viu-eval

38. #Movies4MentalHealth
Stay in touch!
Get it touch with us to:
● Sign up for Continued Connections
● Submit a film about mental health to our monthly competition
● Volunteer to share at a “My Mental Health Story” event
@artwithimpact
info@artwithimpact.org