Breaking the Silence: Sonya Shorey on Mental Health, Suicide, and Empathy

In this episode of Suicide Zen Forgiveness, host Elaine Lindsay interviews Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area XO. Shorey shares her deeply personal journey with mental health, suicide, and the importance of open, empathetic conversations. They discuss the critical roles of psychiatric care, the impact of hidden family struggles, and the need for greater societal support and research in mental health. Shorey also emphasizes the power of individual actions and the importance of fostering a culture of empathy and openness.

00:00 Introduction and Mission Statement

00:43 Guest Introduction: Sonya Shorey

02:25 Sonya's Professional Background

04:03 Personal Connection to Mental Health

05:37 Family History and Mental Health

09:14 Generational Impact and Stigma

10:34 The Importance of Open Conversations

16:06 Honoring Loved Ones and Breaking Patterns

28:03 Memory Wall Initiative

29:48 Supporting Entrepreneurs and Founders

30:40 Inclusivity and Community Efforts

32:46 Mental Health in Entrepreneurship

33:57 Empathy Training for First Responders

37:09 The Importance of Emotional Education

38:21 Personal Stories and Impact

46:07 The Power of Small Actions

49:51 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

51:31 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements

52:25 Sponsor Messages and Farewell

Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, for Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards, and Area X.O, is a strategy executive and management consultant with more than 22 years of leadership experience with private and public organizations. With expertise in regional, national, and global technology, entrepreneurial, economic development, and innovation-based organizations, she specializes in corporate and communications strategy development and execution. This includes investment strategies that secure new cash and in-kind contributions from public and private sources. Since 2005, Sonya has led, strategized, authored and/or made a significant contribution to successful multi-year funding proposals and initiatives valued at more than $203 million from municipal, provincial, federal, and international governments.

Within her executive leadership role with Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O, Sonya plays a pivotal role in developing, leading, and executing strategy for all three organizations. This includes:

• Area X.O, the futureplex of innovation and collaboration for next-generation smart mobility, connectivity and autonomy technologies;
• The Women Founders and Owners Strategy and Action Plan. This includes co-founding SheBoot, the investment-ready bootcamp for women tech founders designed and delivered by women entrepreneurs and investors, and founding International Women’s Week in Canada’s Capital; and International Women’s Week.

The first Pan-Ontario Scale-Up Platform of its kind aimed at enabling and accelerating the growth, scaleup and commercial success of more $100 million revenue-generating tech companies in Canada.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyashorey/