Aug 25, 2024
In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill
Sherman sits down with Constance Scharff, PhD, a
trailblazer in the field of mental health research. Constance is
the founder of the Institute for Complementary and
Indigenous Mental Health Research and author of an upcoming
book on "Everyday Bravery."
Everyday bravery isn't about heroic acts like running into burning
buildings. Constance redefines it as the courage found in everyday
life—like battling addiction, where survival alone is an act of
immense bravery. Having been sober for 26 years herself, Constance
knows this firsthand. Her research reveals the quiet yet powerful
ways people confront challenges and carry themselves with dignity,
even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Constance aims to make her research accessible to everyone,
choosing to write books instead of academic
papers. She believes mental health research should be available to
the public, especially in the U.S., where affordable care is
scarce. By blending memoir with academic research, she offers a
personal and relatable perspective on the complex issues she
studies.
Her journey into the field started 15 years ago at the intersection
of addiction and trauma. A tragic loss drove her to explore the
courage it takes to keep fighting against addiction. Her research
took her across the globe—from New York's Stonewall Inn to the
jungles of Ecuador—uncovering stories of resilience and bravery in
unexpected places.
Constance hopes her work will inspire others to see that recovery
and resilience are possible, even against all odds. She challenges
the over-pathologization of mental health in Western culture and
advocates for a broader, more inclusive approach to mental
well-being.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Redefining Everyday Bravery: Everyday bravery isn't about grand
heroic acts but the quiet courage found in overcoming daily
challenges, like battling addiction or navigating trauma with
dignity.
• Making Mental Health Research Accessible: Constance Scharff
prioritizes writing books over academic papers to make complex
mental health research accessible to the public, especially in a
landscape where affordable care is limited.
• Global Perspective on Mental Health: Her research highlights the
resilience found in diverse cultures worldwide, challenging the
Western focus on pharmaceuticals and advocating for a more
inclusive approach to mental health treatment.
Constance has an impactful blend of research and storytelling that
she uses to spread her thought leadership. If you'd like to
understand how Academic Research can be used to build your thought
leadership platform be sure to watch this short video with Peter
Winick.