Mental Health

The Power of Storytelling in Suicide Prevention: Insights from Stefanie Kirchner | Ep. 134

The Power of Storytelling in Suicide Prevention: Insights from Stefanie Kirchner | Ep. 134

Today we share some profound insights with our incredible guest, Dr. Stefanie Kirchner. We discuss the experiences of suicide survivors by sharing their stories about suicidality and overcoming a crisis in the media. Particularly when it comes to conversations surrounding suicide—a topic often shrouded in silence and shame. Stefanie’s research highlights a unique approach, focusing on the impact of sharing deeply personal stories. By bravely opening up, individuals don't just speak for themselves; they create ripples that can inspire hope and understanding in others who might be struggling.

Perfectly Hidden Depression | Interview with Dr. Margaret Rutherford | Episode 131

Perfectly Hidden Depression | Interview with Dr. Margaret Rutherford | Episode 131

I had the absolute pleasure of talking with the inspiring Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Let me tell you, Dr. Margaret’s journey is nothing short of transformative. She opened up about the pressures we put on ourselves to be perfect and how embracing both strengths and weaknesses is the key to self-acceptance. We had a fantastic discussion about the beautifully imperfect stories that connect us more deeply than any facade of perfection ever could. Margaret’s decision to share her personal struggles on social media was initially terrifying, but she found an overwhelming wave of support that made it all worth it.

From Service to Civilian: Addressing Mental Health Stigma and Veteran Suicide with Rachel Oswalt | 131

From Service to Civilian: Addressing Mental Health Stigma and Veteran Suicide with Rachel Oswalt | 131

Veterans suicide death and military mental health has been making headlines for decades, on today’s episode we look at the root causes. I am joined by Rachel Oswalt, an inspiring US Navy veteran and mental wellness advocate. Rachel discusses the critical role of connecting with supportive individuals throughout her life's journey, particularly in navigating the labyrinth of military mental health. We explored some of the pressing issues plaguing military communities, from the devastating rates of veteran suicides to the overshadowing stigma that hinders mental health reporting.

Suicide Risk among Healthcare Workers with Christopher Wojnar | 130

Suicide Risk among Healthcare Workers with Christopher Wojnar | 130

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, nurse Christopher Wojnar shares his journey through mental health challenges, resilience, and the importance of workplace peer support in suicide prevention. Gain insights into nursing well-being and the transformative power of storytelling in mental health advocacy.

Pain, Opioids, Addiction, and Suicide – It’s Complicated with Dr. Stefan Kertesz | 129

Pain, Opioids, Addiction, and Suicide – It’s Complicated with Dr. Stefan Kertesz | 129

Explore the complex intersection of pain, opioids, addiction, and suicide with Dr. Stefan Kertesz on episode 129 of Hope Illuminated. Understand the impacts of opioid withdrawal and the need for compassionate healthcare.

The Bipolar General – Resilience and Recovery with Major General Greg Martin | 128

The Bipolar General – Resilience and Recovery with Major General Greg Martin | 128

Join Major General Greg Martin on Hope Illuminated as he shares his journey with bipolar disorder, highlighting the interplay of mental health, leadership, and resilience. Listen to his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and advocating for mental health awareness.

Compassion, Connection and Recovery Intention – How Faith Communities Can Best Support People Impacted by Suicide with Shannon Parkin | 127

Compassion, Connection and Recovery Intention – How Faith Communities Can Best Support People Impacted by Suicide with Shannon Parkin | 127

Explore the transformative power of compassion and connection in suicide prevention with Shannon Parkin's research and insights in this compelling episode of Hope Illuminated podcast.

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How Faith Communities and Mental Health Advocates Can Partner to Create Soul Safe Spaces: Interview with David Galvan | Episode 122

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How Faith Communities and Mental Health Advocates Can Partner to Create Soul Safe Spaces: Interview with David Galvan | Episode 122

In this interview, I speak with David Galvan, a faith leader, and mental health advocate intent on building “soul safe spaces” where we live and work. David shares with us insights from his work in bridging the silos of mental health and faith.

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It Happens to Men Too -- An Honest Discussion about Men and Eating Disorders: Interview with Ross Sonnenblick | Episode 120

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It Happens to Men Too -- An Honest Discussion about Men and Eating Disorders: Interview with Ross Sonnenblick | Episode 120

…Understanding this evolving landscape is crucial in addressing men's body image issues and promoting a healthier, more inclusive perspective on masculinity and self-worth. By understanding these challenges, men’s health advocates hope to foster greater awareness, empathy, and support for men facing these issues.

In this episode, I interview Ross Sonnenblick about his doctoral research, his desire to help others, and his lived experience with body image challenges.

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Man Kind -- Modernizing Masculinity & Promoting Men's Mental Health: Interview with Dr. Zachary Gerdes | Episode 119

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Man Kind -- Modernizing Masculinity & Promoting Men's Mental Health: Interview with Dr. Zachary Gerdes | Episode 119

If you’ve watched the movie “Barbie” released this week, you may understand that Kenergy can be understood as a positive framing of masculinity, which challenges toxic portrayals of traditional male traits. The term draws inspiration from the character Ken, who plays a supportive role in his relationship with Barbie. Ken’s character stands in contrast to conventional gender norms that expect men to be dominant and stoic and to avoid embracing traits perceived as "weak."…

Masculinity has long been associated with stoicism, patriarchy, and self-reliance, but these traditional norms have proven detrimental to men's mental health. Higher rates of suicide, lower rates of help-seeking, and increased substance use and violence among men highlight the urgency for change. In his book "Man Kind: Tools for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Modernizing Masculinity," counseling psychologist Dr. Zachary Gerdes presents a transformative framework to help men foster collaboration, embrace vulnerability, and build mental resilience. By challenging outdated concepts of masculinity, Gerdes offers a path toward improved mental health and well-being for men. Societal expectations that encourage men to suppress emotions and avoid seeking help exacerbate men’s mental health challenges.

In this podcast, Dr. Gerdes covers the LIFT model of helping men modernize ideas about masculinity and live happier lives.

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The Pause - Rebooting after Reflection | Episode 111

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The Pause - Rebooting after Reflection | Episode 111

I took a pause.

Sometimes life forces you to pause. In this episode, I talk about why I took this four month break from the podcast and what I have learned. Life threw a couple of challenges and transitions that I needed to be present for, and gave me an opportunity to recover, to create space so I could reflect and learn by asking myself key discernment questions:

  • ·What do I need to refuel the tank?

  • What am I learning in this moment? What am I avoiding? How would I like to grow?

  • When it comes to the work…What is missing? How can I help fill the gaps? Build bridges?

Lived Experience Informed Workplace Mental Health Strategies - Part 2: Interview with James Hill | Episode 110

Lived Experience Informed Workplace Mental Health Strategies - Part 2: Interview with James Hill | Episode 110

In this “Part 2” episode, he talks about his work helping the energy sector develop a comprehensive mental health promotion and suicide prevention strategy — through the lens of his lived expertise.

In the previous “Part 1” episode James Hill shared his story of surviving suicidal intensity and becoming a national change agent for workplace wellbeing.

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Strengthening Suicide Prevention Efforts through Caring for the Caregivers: Interview with Johanna Louie | Episode 108

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Strengthening Suicide Prevention Efforts through Caring for the Caregivers: Interview with Johanna Louie | Episode 108

Did you know?

More than half of all adults know someone who has fought suicidal intensity (Harris Poll). When it comes to caregiving - suicide is different. Ample research about caregiving stress exists, but often this is underestimated when the caregiving role is about suicide. Thus, there is a gap in awareness, support and resources.

Our guest, Johanna Louie and her co-founder Daniela Zanich sought to fill that gap with www.SuicideIsDifferent.org — free digital resources that put the needs of the caregiver at the center of the conversation.

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Opportunities in Intersectionality - Race, Gender, Sexuality, Ability & Mental Health: Interview with Emily Unity | Episode 107

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Opportunities in Intersectionality - Race, Gender, Sexuality, Ability & Mental Health: Interview with Emily Unity | Episode 107

We all have multiple identity markers that make us uniquely us and that shape our lives and experiences. When it comes to understanding our experiences with mental health, appreciating these influences helps us better understand our strengths in well-being, our disparities in exposure to harm, and differences in barriers to and opportunities for support. When we see mental health in this context, new frameworks and needs emerge:

  • Intersectionality is an identity strength rather than being an “other” or “not being enough” of one identity

  • Representation in and accessibility to mental health services and supports matter greatly>

  • Exploration and self-investigation into identity is often key to personal and community resilience.

  • When people identify as “bi” (e.g., biracial, bisexual) or “multi” or are moving in between identities (e.g., immigrants, refugees, gender transitioning) can also have unique challenges and opportunities to well-being. When they sometimes find themselves in a “betwixt/between” state, they find they are not fully embraced by one identity or even rejected outright. This experience of disconnection can cause distress.

In this podcast, Emily Unity invites us to sit in the in between and get comfortable being uncomfortable.

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People with Disabilities and Suicide Prevention -- A Human Rights Conversation: Interview with Sheryl Boswell and Lisa Morgan | Episode 106

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People with Disabilities and Suicide Prevention -- A Human Rights Conversation: Interview with Sheryl Boswell and Lisa Morgan | Episode 106

People who live with disabilities (e.g., physical, intellectual, mental health and neuro-divergent) often face a range of social and economic adversaries including discrimination and prejudice that impacts their ability to work, get educated, and live in safe homes and communities. These disadvantages consequently impact the mental health and well-being of this diverse community. In this episode I interview two international leaders in the conversation on suicide prevention among people living with disabilities. Sheryl Boswell, from Toronto, is the Director of Youth Mental Health Canada and Lisa Morgan is the Co-Chair of the Autism and Suicide committee of the American Association of Suicidology.

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A Different Drummer -- Mental Health, Diversity and Inclusion and Corporate Wellness: Interview with Mike Veny | Episode 101

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A Different Drummer -- Mental Health, Diversity and Inclusion and Corporate Wellness: Interview with Mike Veny | Episode 101

Did you know?

9 our of 10 employers are investing more in mental health benefits than they ever have before (source: https://www.aihr.com/blog/workplace-wellness-trends/).

Concerns about burnout, employee churn, and psychological emergencies have led workplaces to developing a more comprehensive and proactive mental health and suicide prevention strategy.

Benefits like coaching, tele-mental health, personalized wellness plans and stress management tools are becoming increasingly popular for large employers.

In addition, workplaces are starting to shift away from reactive, downstream approaches to more proactive prevention. They are focusing on building caring cultures and psychological safety and they are connecting the dots between DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) work and mental health.

In this conversation, I speak with Mike Veny, a man who has been living these connections and is now training workplaces on how best to support their workers.

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What if Suicide Prevention is Simple? Crisis Response Planning: Interview with Dr. Craig Bryan | Episode 99

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What if Suicide Prevention is Simple? Crisis Response Planning: Interview with Dr. Craig Bryan | Episode 99

Mental health providers — often well-intended and fearful — have made suicide prevention complicated. “Clipboard counseling,” interrogation approaches and highly restrictive interventions have not worked. What if a 5-step, 30-minute intervention made a huge difference? What if we could train peers to help with firearm safety counseling? In this interview I speak with Veteran and psychologist Dr. Craig Bryan about his evidence-based “Crisis Response Planning” intervention…

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Empowering Young People, Strengthening Schools & Mobilizing Communities: Interview with John MacPhee | Episode 97

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Empowering Young People, Strengthening Schools & Mobilizing Communities: Interview with John MacPhee | Episode 97

Suicide rates for our youth and young adults have been climbing since 2001. The reasons for this trend is complex but experts suggest it is a perfect storm of historical events, easy access to distressing information, an unhealthy screen time to outside and social time ratio, and compromised sleep, among other things. The good news is, young people are extraordinary. They have lower mental health bias, they have a desire to help others, and they will change the word.

In this episode I speak with John MacPhee, Executive Director for The Jed Foundation about his thoughts on best practices for engaging young people and schools in the work of suicide prevention and mental health promotion.

Tell a More Powerful Tale -- Shifting the Narrative of Suicide Prevention by Engaging People with Lived Experience: Interview with Bronwen Edwards | Episode 95

Tell a More Powerful Tale -- Shifting the Narrative of Suicide Prevention by Engaging People with Lived Experience: Interview with Bronwen Edwards | Episode 95

Storytellers in suicide prevention have the power to shift culture and change the world in ways other stakeholders are not able to do. Our “voices of insight” have influence and shape others’ understanding on a deep level. People with lived experience seek to stand in solidarity with our research colleagues, policy champions and mental health professionals to embed our deep wisdom in a processes of partnership. In this podcast, I speak with the world renowned Bronwen Edwards, a global authority on the power of lived experience to drive large scale change in suicide prevention. We talk about how we can approach our partners — who may have different values, priorities and points of view — with “compassionate curiosity” so we can “collaborate the big collaboration” (instead of “fight the good fight”).

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Healing is More than Talk Therapy -- Expanding Our Models of Care as We Look to Better Serve Our AAPI Communities: Interview with Dr. DJ Ida | Episode 91

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Healing is More than Talk Therapy -- Expanding Our Models of Care as We Look to Better Serve Our AAPI Communities: Interview with Dr. DJ Ida | Episode 91

In this conversation, I meet with a nationally recognized expert, Dr. DJ. Ida, Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association about how these issues and many more impact the wellbeing of the AAPI communities, and what are some additional approaches -- beyond traditional talk therapy — that may promote healing.