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Episode 52: The Science Behind Suicide focuses on some of the important theoretical and empirical findings that form our understanding of suicide.  You might think that suicide, a human response to great psychological stress, recorded even in ancient literature, has long been studied by mental health professionals. This actually is not true.  Psychiatry and clinical psychology long neglected this topic. As with the general public, the discussion of suicide was largely avoided, even in professional circles.   Enter …

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In Episode 51 : What Have We Learned About Suicide Prevention? we reviewed some of the most important things that we have learned about the prevention of suicide.  The episode is partly a celebration of how much we have addressed since launching the podcast. It is also a pause to reflect on some of the most important lessons we have learned. As we have repeatedly say in the podcast, good mental health is the best prevention …

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In episode 49: Juvenile Justice & Suicide, Part I and episode 50: Juvenile Justice & Suicide, Part II, we discuss group therapy as a form of treatment for incarcerated youth. Our guest, Dr. Leah Saulter describes some of the topics that come up in this group therapy format.  For example, participants are required to discuss the negative impact of their crimes on the victims.  Dr. Saulter describes these moments as some of the most powerful tools …

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During episode 49 : Juvenile Justice & Suicide, Part I, we discussed the negative effects of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Adolescents who suffer adverse events such as homelessness, abuse, or absent parents become more likely to have severe problems later. Incarceration is one of the devastating consequences related to experiencing ACEs.  ACEs Are Common Among the Incarcerated It is commonly held that we should protect kids from bad things.  However, research indicates that about one third of …

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In Episode 48: Celebrity & Suicide we discuss reasons why celebrities may choose to end their lives by suicide.  One might think that the happiness brought to celebs by fame and fortune would make them less likely to consider suicide. It turns out that success cannot prevent you from becoming suicidal. Being successful does not guarantee happiness. For some time Yale University has offered a course called Psyc 157: Psychology and the Good Life.  It essentially …

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