Thomas Joiner

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Neurodiversity and Suicide -- A Mother's Search for Answers: Interview with Dr. Jessica Revill : Episode 123

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Neurodiversity and Suicide -- A Mother's Search for Answers: Interview with Dr. Jessica Revill : Episode 123

Each year, the sobering statistics remind us of the heartbreaking reality: autistic individuals are six times more likely to die by suicide than their non-autistic counterparts.

In our latest episode, we delve into the powerful narrative of "Find Him Among the Living," a poignant memoir by Dr. Jessica Revill. Through her deeply personal account of her son Gregory Chew's life and tragic loss to suicide, Dr. Revill sheds light on the urgent need to address the disproportionate number of suicides within the autistic community.

Autism, a developmental condition impacting communication and sensory processing, often intersects with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Shockingly, 90% of autistic individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health disorder, compared to 40% in the non-autistic population.

Join us as we navigate these critical issues, striving to create a world where every individual, regardless of neurodiversity, feels seen, supported, and valued. Tune in to my conversation with Dr. Revill and visit her website for further insights and resources on suicide prevention and autism advocacy.

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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Workplace Suicide Prevention Training: Interview with Gabriela Malafaia | Episode 65

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Workplace Suicide Prevention Training: Interview with Gabriela Malafaia | Episode 65

The workplace is arguably the most cross-cutting system in suicide prevention. Just about everyone who dies by suicide or attempts suicide was working, was recently working, or has a close friend or family member who is working. Thus, just like we promote CPR training at our job sites to save lives, we should also consider on-going, skill developing suicide prevention training programs. In this presentation I interview Gabriela Malafaia, a leader in People’s Management in the oil and gas industry. We discuss the many reasons why workplace suicide prevention training is the right thing to do and list several best practices to leverage a tiered approach. Sharing a number of case studies, we conclude that successful training initiatives not only improve the confidence and competence of a workforce dedicated to making suicide prevention a health and safety priority, impactful training actually helps drive a caring culture.

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Wellness at Work — What the Fire Service Can Teach Us about Creating a Kitchen Table Culture: Interview with Captain Dena Ali | Episode 51

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Wellness at Work — What the Fire Service Can Teach Us about Creating a Kitchen Table Culture: Interview with Captain Dena Ali | Episode 51

Our best bet in preventing suicide is to get in front of it.

Way in front.

Promoting protective factors not only will reduce the risk of suicide — it also is a great way to build a life worth living. In this podcast, I interview Captain Dena Ali about what we have learned about wellness at work from the fire service and the mitigating effects of social support, mindfulness and sleep. We also talk about the power of peer support to promote these buffering factors and how small interventions can go a long way. As you listen to Captain Ali, ask yourself, “How can these protective factors of the fire service be translated to other industries and workplaces? 

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"We are Still Here" -- Culture is Prevention in Tribal Communities: Interview with Shelby Rowe | Episode 39

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"We are Still Here" -- Culture is Prevention in Tribal Communities: Interview with Shelby Rowe | Episode 39

All over the globe, young Indigenous men have some of the highest rates of suicide. When we take a closer look at this trend, we understand it is much less about individual mental health issues and much more about the consequences of historical trauma. Programs addressing suicide prevention in these communities are promoting culture and community connectedness through storytelling, ceremony and reclaiming culture. These cross-generational initiatives are rooted in values that link the past and present. Values and priorities like honor, identity, pride and resiliency. In this interview I interview my dear friend and one of the most resilient people I know, Shelby Rowe, who shares how she was inspired by her ancestors to be a “designated culture keeper.”

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Healing after Murder-Suicide -- Mother of Columbine Shooter Shares Grief Journey: Interview with Sue Klebold | Episode 26

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Healing after Murder-Suicide -- Mother of Columbine Shooter Shares Grief Journey: Interview with Sue Klebold | Episode 26

While only 2% of suicides are murder-suicides, the narrative of this tragedy dominates public consciousness. Due to the fact that the circumstances are horrific, and the media reports on these stories more frequently and with more details than most other community tragedies, it’s not surprising that we feel overwhelmed. What is often not discussed is the unimaginable grief and trauma left behind in the families of the perpetrators. In my interview with Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine shooter Dylan Klebold, we learn more about why she spent many years in hiding and what she is doing now so that other families don’t have to experience what hers did.

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Why are men so lonely? Preventing Deaths of Despair with Dr. Thomas Joiner | Episode 1

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Why are men so lonely? Preventing Deaths of Despair with Dr. Thomas Joiner | Episode 1

"All these misunderstandings about how (suicide) is selfish, weak or hopeless are just wrong, contradicted flatly by science..." Dr. Thomas Joiner