Finding Hope Through Storytelling: Eye of the Survivor Retreat
August 8, 2026
On August 8, SpeakUp ReachOut hosted the Eye of the Survivor Workshop & Retreat at The Barn in Minturn, Colorado. Facilitated by mental health advocates Sarah Gaer, MA, and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, the free, day-long retreat brought together individuals with lived experience to explore the power of storytelling, personal healing, and connection.
The workshop provided a supportive space for participants to reflect on experiences with mental health challenges, suicidal thoughts, substance misuse, trauma, and recovery. Using the "Hero's Journey" storytelling framework, attendees learned how to shape their personal experiences into meaningful narratives that emphasize resilience, hope, and the lessons learned along the way.
At SpeakUp ReachOut, we believe that storytelling saves lives. Sharing lived experiences can help reduce stigma, create understanding, and remind others facing similar challenges that they are not alone. Just as importantly, learning to share these stories safely and effectively helps protect both the storyteller and their audience.
Throughout the retreat, participants explored safe messaging practices, developed their personal stories, and received guidance and feedback from facilitators and peers. The experience emphasized that storytelling isn't just about sharing difficult moments. It's about recognizing growth, finding meaning, and creating opportunities for healing and connection.
Post-retreat evaluations from eight respondents reflected a positive impact, with the majority reporting that they benefited from the experience. In addition, most respondents also reported feeling a strong sense of personal healing and support, as well as greater confidence in their ability to share their stories safely and effectively.
One particularly encouraging outcome was that every respondent demonstrated an understanding of safe messaging practices, an essential part of sharing lived experiences in ways that promote hope, healing, and suicide prevention.
Participant feedback also emphasized the importance of a welcoming, supportive environment. One attendee appreciated the facilitators for "making everyone feel welcomed and validating feelings."
Another highlighted the value of the facilitators' personal approach, sharing that "modeling vulnerability by sharing personal stories was really valuable for me."
Participants also identified ways they hope to use what they learned beyond the retreat, including sharing their experiences with friends and family, supporting peers, participating in mental health awareness campaigns, and advocating for changes that better support people facing mental health and recovery challenges.
Importantly, the retreat reinforced that not every story needs to be shared publicly to have value. For some participants, the storytelling process was primarily an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. Others expressed interest in using their experiences to support peers, educate their communities, and help reduce stigma.
These responses reflect one of the retreat's central strengths: creating a space where individuals can explore their experiences, find their voices, and decide how and when to share their stories in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them.
For SpeakUp ReachOut, the impact of Eye of the Survivor extends beyond a single day. By supporting people with lived experience, encouraging safe storytelling, and creating spaces for meaningful connection, we are helping build a community where more people feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Every story matters. Every voice has value. And through connection, understanding, and hope, storytelling can help save lives.
SpeakUp ReachOut extends our gratitude to Sarah Gaer and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas for their thoughtful facilitation, The Barn in Minturn for hosting, our event partners Vail Health Behavioral Health and MTech, and everyone who participated in this meaningful experience.
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