This document summarizes a workshop on mental health and sexual violence. The workshop was held at Truckee Meadows Community College and included an introductory conversation, monologues from survivors of sexual violence, group discussions of reactions to the monologues, an exploration of ways to support survivors, and a panel of speakers. The workshop addressed how sexual violence can impact survivors and encouraged participants to be open-minded, validate feelings, and work to support healing for survivors in a compassionate way.

1. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Our Bodies, Our Minds
Truckee Meadows Community College
Thursday, April 18, 2019
@artwithimpact
#OurBodiesOurMinds

2. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Brought to you by…
- Campus workshops
- Monthly film
competition
- Global community

3. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Here’s the Plan
• Introductory conversation
• Monologues and activities
• Panel of speakers

4. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Where were you right before coming
to this workshop?

5. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Heads Up
• Mental health is personal – YOU are the expert on
your own experience
• Public space – no confidentiality
• It’s okay to feel, and it’s okay to be uncomfortable
• Conversations and activities might be triggering
• Please take care of yourself however you need,
including asking for help

6. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition

7. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)

8. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)
• Against their wishes, crossed a boundary that they had
set, and/or left them feeling violated, used, scared,
unsafe or hurt

9. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)
• Against their wishes, crossed a boundary that they had
set, and/or left them feeling violated, used, scared,
unsafe or hurt
• Mental health and mental wellness - impacts of
traumatic event and ability to be full self

10. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What are ways that sexual violence might
impact survivors?
PTSD
Feel worthless
Don’t trust the type of person who is similar to the perpetrator
Guilt
Shame
Anger
Suicidal
Ability to have a healthy relationship with someone else (sexually)
Addiction, substance use, self-medicating
Hurt others to feel better about themselves (cycle of abuse)
Hyper sexuality
Social consequences with the community
Isolation
Fear and anxiety

11. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Monologue
Sam, 20, man (he/him)

12. #OurBodiesOurMinds
In small groups…
• Read the monologue out loud
• Discuss initial reactions

13. #OurBodiesOurMinds
How does Sam seem to feel?
• Confused
• Weakness
• Afraid – of what people will think, if people will believe him (especially with
gender dynamics and stereotypes)
• Isolated, doesn’t want to share, repeats it in his mind
• Obligated to follow male stereotype
• Mad at himself
• Hopeful – contemplating going to a counselor
• Stressed out about people in his life, how they would react
• Traumatized, nightmares
• Frustrated, doesn’t want to feel this way anymore
• Embarrassed
• Shame

14. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What thoughts might Sam have?
• Pathetic – “I am pathetic”
• Not normal, not the stereotypical guy
• Alone, thinks it doesn’t happen to men
• Emasculated
• Feeling legit with background, how does that fit in with the feelings about
sexual violence (extra layer of being an outsider)
• Other people’s thoughts
• Should I take a chance?

15. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Activity

16. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Monologues
Gabriela, 19, woman (she/her)
Robbie, 22, man (he/him)

17. #OurBodiesOurMinds
In small groups…
• Read the monologue out loud
• Discuss initial reactions

18. #OurBodiesOurMinds
How do Gabriela and Robbie seem to feel?
- Scared
- Similar to Sam, also a
survivor
- Insecure
- Hope, getting help
- Fearful of Sam
- In the healing /
recovery process
- Has support
(grandmother), distance
- Overwhelmed, uncertain,
afraid to offend
- “Average guy”
- Not sure if he should
approach
- Compassion
- Confidence
- Has he talked to his
parents? For his brother,
and for his parents
- Go with the flow, accepting
- In process with family and
brother
Gabriela Robbie

19. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What messages is Sam receiving
from Gabriela and Robbie?
Robbie
- “You’re weird”
- Uncertainty
- “I don’t know what to
think of you”
- “I’m worried about you”
Gabriela
- Rejected
- Judged
- “I don’t like you”
- “I think you’re weird”
- “I think you’re weak”
- “You’re not good
enough”

20. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Scene Exploration

21. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What can we do?
Re-frame our messages
Be open-minded
Maybe you’ll say something “wrong,” but let’s get it
started!
Let them know they’re not alone
Time heals, give them time
Karma will come around
Education – models, interventions, skills, books
Validate their feelings
Have hope that we’ll find healing AND adopt realistic
expectations, or let go of expectations of what things
will look like
Practice gratitude
Work on forgiving ourselves

22. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Panel

23. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Meet the Panel
Maya Grodman
Survivor
Cheryl Woehr
TMCC Counselor
Vanessa Rios
SASS Program Coordinator
Crisis Support Services of Nevada

24. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Stay in touch!
Don’t forget to leave your name and email
on the sign-up sheet!
@artwithimpact
maya@artwithimpact.org