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This e-toolkit provides an overview of strategic storytelling, storytelling in the FIMR process, considerations for storytelling, sources of stories, examples, and resources.
Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) de-identified case summaries may include personal experience information from the parent/family interview. Utilizing strategic storytelling can strengthen FIMR's work by providing qualitative information, in addition to the quantitative data and recommendations typically collected.
The Michigan FIMR Network participated in a FIMR Strategic Storytelling Learning Collaborative hosted by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention. The learning collaborative provided support and resources by which the Michigan FIMR Network could elevate family voices. This toolkit was created in partnership with the Michigan FIMR Strategic Storytelling Team.
We are all storytellers and storytelling has always been a form of communication. When we hear or see stories, they help us connect, evoke emotions, inspire, and motivate us. Stories honor lived experiences by elevating the voices of families and their experiences.1 Stories also may help address health equity by illustrating how racism manifests as discrimination, implicit bias, and unequal treatment can lead to poor birth outcomes.1 Stories can come in many forms—from someone sharing their story in a video or audio, providing a quote about their experience, providing a vignette, etc. Insights from psychology and cognitive science show that storytelling is the most effective way to help others understand and embrace topics by2:
Understanding Cause-and-Effect Relationships
Seeing Patterns in Important Information
Empathizing with People
Paying Attention
Sources:
The following resources are examples of how personal narratives may be used to elevate recommendations and needs in communities:
The Illinois Maternal Health Digital Storytelling Project
Note of Caution: While the videos in the digital storytelling project are powerful and important to view, they could be triggering/emotional for viewers.
Family Stories of Sleep-Related Loss - A Facilitation Guide for Using their Digital Stories
2022 Michigan WIC Breastfeeding Report
Delaware Child Death Review Commission 2021 Annual Report
Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) 2021 Annual Report (mibreastfeeding.org)
Michigan Hear Her Maternal Health Stories
Michigan Home Visiting Initiative (michigan.gov)
StoryWork Project | Healthy Start TASC (healthystart-tasc.org)
Giving Birth in America - Every Mother Counts (EMC) | Improving Maternal Health
The Individuals/Storytellers
Storytelling provides an opportunity for individuals to share their experiences and to elevate their voice. While storytelling can be therapeutic, storytelling can also bring a multitude of emotions for the storyteller. If an agency is considering storytelling, there are some considerations that should be taken into account for the individual sharing their story:
Organizations/Agencies Sharing Stories
Sources of Stories
Stories can be found in a variety of formats including, but not limited to quotes, digital stories, audio recordings, vignettes, etc. Additionally, stories can be found from a variety of sources:
Example: https://www.foxnews.com/health/mom-warns-co-sleeping-infants-death
Where to Incorporate Stories
Reports
Presentations
In-person events/community events
Websites
Social media campaigns
Below are resources to continue learning about strategic storytelling.
Storytelling-Toolkit-Final_.pdf (phrases.org)
Introduction to Public Health Digital Storytelling Webinars — STORYCENTER
Tools for FIMR Teams – The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (ncfrp.org)
Storytelling and Public Health: The Power of Emotion in Science < Yale School of Public Health
Storytelling for Public Health - Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center
Learning Brief | MCH Navigator
Raising Community Voices: The Power of Storytelling in Public Health Webinar on Vimeo
StoryCollab - Storytelling Strategy, Workshops and Digital Impact