Suicide Prevention

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.

New Frontlines: Trends in Veterans' Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Success with Dr. Joe Geraci | Ep. 133

New Frontlines: Trends in Veterans' Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Success with Dr. Joe Geraci | Ep. 133

Longtime friend on this week’s episode, I met Dr. Joseph Geraci on the advisory committee through "Face the Fight" a consortium/initiative; goal to reduce Veterans' suicide by 50% in 5 years. We review the crucial support mechanisms for veterans during their vulnerable transition period into civilian life, especially focusing on preventing suicide.

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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Impactful Ways Caring Adults and Youth Collaborate in Suicide Prevention: Interview with the Liv Project | Episode 113

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Impactful Ways Caring Adults and Youth Collaborate in Suicide Prevention: Interview with the Liv Project | Episode 113

How meaningful that this episode was recorded during the 18th anniversary of by brother Carson’s death by suicide. His expressed legacy was to help youth thrive and this episode is dedicated to empowering youth to help lead innovative approaches in suicide prevention.

The Liv Project was founded by the mother and sister of Olivia Ann Kunik, a 19 year old and shining light who died by suicide on January 19th, 2018. In honor of her life, the Liv Project strives to turn the tide of youth suicide through creative approaches such as:

Well-meaning caring adults who want to support youth, don’t always get this right. Sometimes they think their main role is about teaching and protecting, when what is often more impactful is EMPOWERMENT. In other words, let the youth lead. They know their challenges and strengths best. When youth take charge, the outcome is far more likely to be sticky with their peers.

The founders of the Liv Project understand this, and have enrolled countless youth advisors and ambassadors to lead the cause. By employing the creativity and passion of young people and collaborating with mental health professionals, they are able to reach their audiences effectively and with confidence.

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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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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.

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Meet Them Where They Are At -- Social Media and Suicide Prevention for Youth: Interview with Dr. Jo Robinson | Episode 96

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Meet Them Where They Are At -- Social Media and Suicide Prevention for Youth: Interview with Dr. Jo Robinson | Episode 96

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in many places around the globe, and many countries are seeing increasing rates of suicidal despair among our teens and young adults. How do we develop a more “youth friendly” suicide prevention strategy?

We listen to them and empower them to lead.

Come hear about the incredibly ground breaking work led by A/Prof Jo Robinson at the University of Melbourne in Australia. She is co-designing youth suicide research and prevention programs like “Chat Safe” with youth as her active partners. Their shared mission is to help young people feel better equipped to communicate safely about suicide on-line.

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The Gaming Community and Suicide Prevention: Interview with Fenway Jones | Episode 86

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The Gaming Community and Suicide Prevention: Interview with Fenway Jones | Episode 86

While many non-gamers might have only heard of some of the potential negative consequences of excessive (mostly video-based) gaming (e.g., desensitization, sleep deprivation, and neglect of other life priorities like academics, work and exercise), those inside the gaming community (especially board and role play-based games) have come to realize there are many well-being benefits:

  • Often radical acceptance and unconditional regard

  • A virtual community that is highly accessible and inclusive

  • A reprieve from the toxicity of bullying, harassment and discrimination

  • Opportunities to learn and excel in problem-solving and communication

  • A chance to envision and experiment with ideal versions of themselves

In this episode, I speak with the amazing Fenway Jones, a high school student who is changing the world. We talk about the psychological benefits of being a part of a positive gaming community. We also discuss how she has made meaning after losing two friends by engaging the gaming community in suicide prevention.

Suicide is the Untold Story of Gun Violence in the US -- Why Gun Safety is Suicide Prevention: Interview with Dr. Michael Anestis | Episode 82

Suicide is the Untold Story of Gun Violence in the US -- Why Gun Safety is Suicide Prevention: Interview with Dr. Michael Anestis | Episode 82

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, nearly 2/3 of all gun deaths in the US are suicide fatalities. A surge in firearm purchases during the last year have many in the suicide prevention field concerned about increasing suicide rates long term, because the research is clear — easy access to lethal means for suicide increases risk for people when suicidal intensity surges.

In this podcast, I speak with one of the worlds leading experts on guns and suicide. Dr. Mike Anestis shares concrete action steps we can take as we work toward a collaborative solution to keep our homes safer from suicide.

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"What Do You Do?" -- Reflecting on Work, Identity & Well-Being: Interview with Scott Mason | Episode 76

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"What Do You Do?" -- Reflecting on Work, Identity & Well-Being: Interview with Scott Mason | Episode 76

When we ask “What do you do?”, what we often mean is “What WORK do you do?” In many ways — at least in the United States — our culture tells us, “You ARE what you do for a living.” Not only as a provider for your family and a meaningful contributor to society (and “meaningful” is often defined by the paycheck and the status") but as someone who is earnestly chasing the “American Dream.”…

On the positive side, when work is working well, it gives us a sense of belonging and a sense of being a part of something larger than ourselves. Work gives us structure to our lives and the satisfaction that our skills and talents are contributing to the world in some way. This positive aspect of our identity protects us against depression, anxiety and loneliness. In this interview with Scott Mason, we explore the role of our work in our identity and well-being. We argue that we all need to cultivate a multifaceted identity where our personal worth is based on being loved for who you ARE not just on being admired for what you DO.