About this Presentation
It is a common misconception that where there is suicidal thinking there is also mental illness. In truth, just over half of all youth suicide is carried out by those who are in crisis but don't have a diagnosable mental illness. Their actual need is not to die, but for the pain (shame, debt, worry) to stop. Problems can seem insurmountable and their capacity to continue living in their present situation becomes exhausted. But what if there was a framework that could help people when they are suicidal see a way through their crisis? What if TOC thinking processes provides such a framework and can support those who are suicidal to find their way back to hope and life? In this presentation we will consider some of the common obstacles faced globally by the rise in youth suicide and learn about the specific events that lead to up to an intervention with a young woman, intending to end her life within hours. You will hear how both the cloud and goal setting tools were used to support her in her moment of despair to unpick what she was experiencing as overwhelming and make sense of it all such that she could find solutions that moved her from suicidal ideation to hopefulness and empowerment. Finally, we will explore how this tool can be used in other critical’ moments with young people and the implications for TOC in this area. Video length: 45:02. PDF: 73 slides.
What Will You Learn
To help you get the most value from this session, we’ve highlighted a few key points. These takeaways capture the main ideas and practical insights from the presentation, making it easier for you to review, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Debbie Roberts shares her experience with the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and how it has been instrumental in her work in education and mental health.
She discusses the importance of emotional literacy and understanding our emotions as data, which can help us understand ourselves and our environment better.
She shares how the TOC tools have been used to help individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts, by helping them articulate their internal conflicts and develop a plan to overcome their obstacles.
Instructor(s)
Debi Roberts
Debi Roberts MA Ed is recognised for her work in suicide prevention, creating novel resources and applying critical thinking approaches to intervention and prevention. As the CEO of The OLLIE Foundation, a UK-based suicide prevention charity, Debi leads initiatives to facilitate effective conversations about suicide risk and protective factors within diverse communities. She is the first person in the world to use TOC as an effective suicide intervention. With a Masters in Emotional Literacy in Educational Settings, 18 years of experience volunteering with Theory of Constraints for Education (TOCFE), and a deep understanding of emotional literacy, conflict resolution, and goal-setting, she brings a wealth of expertise to drive positive change. She set up and ran the first young person’s befriending service in two A&E Departments and has created a range of courses including a CBT Programme for CYP in Herts and a Mental Health Course for the Royal Society of Public Health Her first book, Storytelling For Better Behaviour' is published through Routledge
Ms Alka Wadhwa
Alka Wadhwa is an experienced consultant and process improvement expert with over 24 years of expertise in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Six Sigma, and organizational performance optimization. She has successfully led projects in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, driving significant improvements such as a 67% boost in hospital operations and a 140% increase in outpatient visits.
Previously, Alka Wadhwa spent 17+ years at GE Global Research Center, where she led initiatives to enhance various GE businesses through advanced technologies, process redesign, and system optimization. Founder of Better Solutions Consulting, LLC, she specializes in using TOC, Six Sigma, and data analytics to streamline operations and build high-performance teams.
Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including the Empire State Award of Excellence in healthcare.
Dr Gary Wadhwa
Dr. Gary Wadhwa is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in the field. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and has served as an Attending at prestigious institutions like St. Peters Hospitals, Ellis Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in NY. With a career spanning over two decades, he was the former CEO and President of a group specialty practice in NY from 1994 to 2015. Dr. Wadhwa holds an MBA from UT at Knoxville, TN, and has undergone additional training in System Dynamics at MIT, Health System Management at Harvard Business School, and Entrepreneurship and healthcare innovations at Columbia Business School. Committed to expanding access to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery care, he is currently engaged in a meaningful project to provide healthcare services to underserved populations in inner city and rural areas through non-profit Community Health Centers.