RECORDING - Emerging Horizons: Exploring Digital Storytelling as a Psychosocial Tool with Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Synopsis: Over 7000 people between the age of 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer every year in Canada. These Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) report a high prevalence and severity of long-term psychosocial comorbidity in cancer survivorship. Despite this, very few targeted, age-appropriate psychosocial interventions have been created and evaluated for this population. Digital Storytelling (DST) is a process that uses words, images, video, music, and persons' own voice to share a meaningful experience from their life. Originally positioned as a participatory, community-focused advocacy and educational process, the principles and methodology of DST have a close congruence with other forms of narrative-based psychosocial interventions and could be a valuable tool for psychosocial oncology professionals. This presentation will use clips from the film Emerging Horizons to illustrate the results of a PhD thesis project focused on understanding the DST experiences of young adult cancer survivors. Participants will leave with both a deeper understanding of an innovative new psychosocial tool and the lived experience of AYA cancer survivors. 

SPEAKER:

Mike Lang is a digital storytelling facilitator, health researcher, filmmaker, and PhD Graduand (PhD'21) from the University of Calgary. A young adult cancer survivor himself (AYA), Mike has directed and produced five feature-length documentaries and two web series about cancer in addition to publishing AYA-focused psychosocial oncology research and facilitating retreats and expeditions for young adults through the charity he founded and directed for 10 years.  The stories Mike has created have been shared across Canada and North America to highlight the unique needs of AYAs and stimulate important conversations about what it means to live well with, through, and beyond cancer. Connect with him on FaceBook or Instagram @mikelangstories , www.mikelangstories.com , or commonlanguagedst.org

Webinar registration:

• FREE to CAPO Members. 
• $15 to non-members

Recording access details will be provided in your registration confirmation email. 

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