Leaving The Valley

What Am I Thinking?

kbuserclancy — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Ep. 068 : The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook w/ Dr. Kathryn Gordon, Part II, we discuss some of the different theories that provide the framework for Dr. Gordon’s book. The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook book uses sound, empirically proven cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods. In our podcast, we have frequently described the utility of CBT for treating depressive symptoms and for suicidal thoughts in particular. In today’s blog, we want to describe one of the underlying principles …

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Mental Health Apps to Get You Out of Your Head

Samuel Buser — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Ep. 067 : The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook with Dr. Gordon, Part I, our guest, Dr. Kathryn Hope Gordon, shares the tools she has developed for her workbook. Today, we wanted to go one step further and discuss other aids that can help: mental health apps for your smartphone. One expert recently stated that 10,000 such apps are now available. Whew! We don’t have time or space to review all of them, but we wanted to …

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Removing the Road Blocks: Barriers to Mental Health Care

Samuel Buser — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Ep 66 : Challenges to Latin American Mental Health, our guest, counselor Clara Rosenzweig, describes the work she oversees as the Director of Vecino Health Centers. Her comments highlight one of the major problems in preventing suicide: accessing mental health care. In our podcast, we have frequently spoken about how stigma and shame regarding mental health serve as obstacles to seeking help. In this blog we want to discuss some of the other impediments that …

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Denial Is Dangerous

Samuel Buser — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Ep. 065: Honoring the Dead– Dia de los Muertos & the Challenge of Suicide, we discuss the stigma associated with suicide. For example, when a loved one has died by suicide, their survivors may deny that suicide was the cause of the death. It may be easier to claim someone had a “heart attack” instead of admitting that they killed themselves. Denying Suicidal Thinking Denial also occurs among persons who have made suicide attempts …

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Lean on Me: The Value of Peer Support Teams

Samuel Buser — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Ep. 64: Showing Up to a Suicide, Part II, we talk with Firefighter Captain Scott Shaunfield about his role on a peer support team within the fire service. Many first responder organizations (fire, police, EMS, and others) utilize some sort of peer support to assist their members in coping with traumatic exposures. They are particularly valuable to First Responders because of the frequency of traumatic events in their work. Additionally, First Responders don’t always …

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You Never “Get Used To It”: First Responders & Suicide Attempts

Samuel Buser — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Episode 63: Showing Up to a Suicide, Part I, we chat with Fire Capt. Scott Shaunfield, a first responder with almost 30 years of experience. Captain Shaunfield shares that despite the years of service, one can never “get used” to seeing tragedy. At best, First Responders cope with what they’ve seen, at worst they may become victims themselves. Emergency Calls and Suicide Capt. Shaunfield gave us an insight of what it is like for …

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Complicated Grief of Suicide

Samuel Buser — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 03:00:00 +0000

We have frequently featured “myths about suicide” in on Leaving the Valley. In “Episode 62: Myth BUSTED — No One Will Miss Me When I’m Gone”, we look at a belief than many suicidal people may tell themselves. This is of course, completely false. You will be missed. No matter what circumstances are leading to thoughts of suicide, there is simply no way your absence won’t be noticed. Humans are incredibly interdependent. That is why, …

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Better Policing Policies for Mental Illness

Samuel Buser — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Episode 61: 988 – The Conversation Continues, Part II, we discuss the use of police in a mental health crisis. Police are often called when a person’s behavior is deemed “scary or unsafe.” In some examples, the reason for that behavior is because the person is suffering from a mental health condition. Police have frequent contact with those suffering from a mental illness. It is estimated that 20% of police activity is spent on …

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What Exactly Is 988?

Samuel Buser — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 03:00:00 +0000

In Episode 60: 988 — The Conversation Continues, we responded to an online post that was shared with us by a member of our audience. This post questioned how the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline worked. In some ways, it seemingly discouraged people from using it. We have a lot of thoughts about the comments made in the post. However, we also felt like there could be benefit in re-examining what the role of crisis hotlines …

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Texting to Save a Life

kbuserclancy — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:00:00 +0000

There’s a big change affecting everyone in the US, but especially those who work in suicide and crisis intervention! The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a new number (and a new name too– it’s now the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.) That number is 988. In episode 59 : We Call 988, we talk about the many reasons this is significant. A 3-digit number is a lot easier to remember than a 1-800 number, for example. …

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