Background
Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas writes the employee well-being column for
IRMI.com.
She is a clinical psychologist, inspirational international speaker, and an
impact entrepreneur. Dr. Spencer-Thomas was moved to work in suicide prevention
after her younger brother, a Denver entrepreneur, died of suicide after a
difficult battle with bipolar condition. Known nationally and internationally
as an innovator in social change, Dr. Spencer-Thomas has helped start up
multiple large-scale, gap-filling efforts in mental health, including the
award-winning campaign Man
Therapy, and was a recent invited speaker at the White House. Her goal is
to elevate the conversation and make suicide prevention a health and safety
priority in our schools, workplace, and communities.
Dr. Spencer-Thomas has also held leadership positions for the National
Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the International Association for
Suicide Prevention, the American Association for Suicidology, and the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She has won multiple awards for her advocacy,
including the 2014 Survivor of the Year from the American Association of
Suicidology, the 2014 Invisible Disabilities Association Impact Honors Award,
the 2012 Alumni Master Scholar from the University of Denver, the 2015 Farberow
Award from the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and the 2016
Career Achievement Alumni Award from the University of Denver's Graduate
School of Professional Psychology.
She has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver, a
master's degree in nonprofit management from Regis University, and a
bachelor's degree in psychology and studio art with a minor in economics
from Bowdoin College. She has written four books on mental health and violence
prevention. She lives with her partner and three sons in Conifer, Colorado.