Episode 22 - Scott Chisholm

Scott Chisholm is a career first responder; professional firefighter for the past 27 years and former land-based (6 years) and air paramedic (10 years). Scott is also a photographer, storyteller, and CEO and founder of the Collateral Damage project. The Collateral Damage project started as a series of compelling portraits that will be part of a book and gallery exhibitions of those who have lost loved ones and friends to suicide; Scott lost his father to suicide at the age of seventeen. The Collateral Damage project has evolved into a movement that combines the power of lived experience with academics, research, and evidence-based learning and practice. Scott is a passionate and enthusiastic public speaker who has traveled throughout Canada and the USA with the hopes of bringing about curriculum, policy and legislative changes, while advocating for education and training on suicide and mental health and bringing about awareness that can save lives. Scott strongly believes in empowering others. In 2013-2014 he was the primary facilitator for the initiative “The Life Promotion Project”, which is an Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy that focused on creating positive change through photography that targeted 96 First Nations communities. He has been recognized for his work at local, regional and national levels. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention; was the recipient of the Arnold Devlin Community Award from the Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention for Outstanding Contributions to Suicide Prevention and was awarded the Prestigious Champions of Mental Health Award by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health in 2012. In 2017 Scott was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and from this, his journey of healing has created another layer in his lived experience story. Scott is a firm believer in the power of story and has committed his life to using art and storytelling as a vehicle to create proactive dialogue and social change on mental health, suicide, and wellness.