Discover the transformative power of trauma-sensitive yoga and body-centered healing in the latest episode of "Hope Illuminated" with Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas. Joined by expert guest Jessa, listeners explore the profound journey from childhood suicidal thoughts to finding empowerment through Ashtanga yoga. Dive into a candid conversation on overcoming trauma, the importance of lived experience in mental health care, and the science behind holistic approaches to healing.
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.
For many mental health providers clinical training around suicide — if we received any at all — was rooted in fear and was focused on trying to mitigate risk for the clinician rather than on how to help the person in despair. In this podcast, I interview Dr. David Jobes, a clinician-researcher who has dedicated his life’s work to finding an evidence-based approach to helping people through their suicidal suffering. Here we discuss the capstone edition in his three-book series that helps clients find their way back to a passion for living.
David A. Jobes, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Suicide Prevention Laboratory, and Associate Director of Clinical Training at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is the author of seven books and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. He is the creator of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) which is an evidence-based, suicide-focused, approach to suicide risk. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and is a board certified clinical psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology). Dr. Jobes maintains a private clinical and consulting practice in DC and in Maryland.
Dimeff et al (2021) Using a Tablet-Based App to Deliver Evidence-Based Practices for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2021;8(3):e23022 https://mental.jmir.org/2021/3/e23022
Jobes, D. (2017). Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Suicidal Risk: A Critique of Contemporary Care and CAMS as a Possible Remedy. Practice Innovations, 2(4): 207–220.
Jobes, D. et al. (2018). A Stepped Care Approach to Clinical Suicide Prevention. Psychological Services. 15(3): 243–250.
Jobes, D. & Chalker, S. (2019). One Size Does Not Fit All: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach to Reducing Suicidal Ideation, Attempts, and Deaths. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 16, 3606; doi:10.3390/ijerph16193606
Jobes, D. (2020). Commonsense Recommendations for Standard Care of Suicidal Risk. Journal of Health Service Psychology https://doi.org/10.1007/s42843-020-00020-3
Lynch, et al (2022) The Content of Patient-Identified Suicidal Drivers within CAMS Treatment Planning. ARCHIVES OF SUICIDE RESEARCH https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2022.2151958
David Rudd M, Bryan CJ, Jobes DA, Feuerstein S and Conley D (2022) A Standard Protocol for the Clinical Management of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: Implications for the Suicide Prevention Narrative. Frontiers in Psychiatry 13:929305. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.929305
Santel M, Neuner F, Berg M, Steuwe C, Jobes DA, Driessen M and Beblo T (2023) The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality compared to enhanced treatment as usual for inpatients who are suicidal: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 14:1038302. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1038302
…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.
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.
Many of us bereaved by suicide find ourselves as Frank Campbell describes in a “Canyon of Why”. Our world assumptions are shattered.
What happens to a family with multiple losses by suicide?
In this interview I speak to Juliet Patterson, a poet and the author of the book “Sinkhole: A Legacy of Suicide.” Juliet grew up in the shadows of multiple family members deaths by suicide and wondered too — “Will I die this way?” Instead, she has come to find poetry and other forms of storytelling are helping her make meaning.
Sara Easterly, the author of “Searching for Mom” once said “I entered a long period of death ideation in adolescence when I began wondering about my birth mother almost constantly. The losses due to adoption began to feel overwhelming, but it didn’t feel like there was room to grieve.”
According to a research study published by the journal of Pediatrics, adoptees are four time more likely to report a suicide attempt than non-adoptees and Lina Vanegas, our podcast guest, has some ideas of why this is so including:
the trauma of separation from the birth family
the lack of medical history, which may give insights to health and mental health vulnerabilities
racism when adoption is transnational or transracial
isolation from the cultural community of origin
microagressions from others about how grateful an adopted person should be
The research on ”Adverse Childhood Experiences” is clear — The CDC Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study has identified ten types of childhood trauma that can affect people later in life. Five types of trauma are personal, such as physical abuse or neglect, while the other five are related to family members, such as having a parent who is an alcoholic or experiencing the divorce of parents. Each type of trauma counts as one, so someone who has experienced physical abuse, has one alcoholic parent, and a mother who was a survivor of domestic violence has an ACE score of three.
The study revealed a strong link between childhood trauma and chronic diseases that people develop as adults, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and diabetes. It also showed a link to social and emotional problems such as depression, violence, and suicide.
Anyone who has been a teacher knows the work is hard, and at the same time — when work is working well — immensely rewarding. The work can be purposeful and filled with close relationships a vibrant communities.
No one enters the teaching profession to become rich and famous — they enter for the difference they will make.
And yet, our nation is facing a mental health crisis among our educators; one of burnout and demoralization. Many are operating in survival mode due to complete emotional exhaustion. The stressors they face are significant:
Safety concerns related to mass school shootings and drug use
Funding deficits
Labor shortage
Meeting escalating physical and emotional needs of students
Unrealistic expectations from districts and parents
Just to name a few…
Teachers’ well-being is something most communities overlook in their intention to always put students first. In this episode I speak with two school psychologists who express grave concern about educators’ psychological health and safety — and also make concrete suggestions on what we can do to help them.
I’ve lost two people close to me to suicide. In both situations, I saw the signs. We talked about their thoughts of suicide. They got help. And in both cases, their pain and suffering became too much. While I think the survivor guilt is always there — the “if only” thoughts that linger — I have mostly come to peace with my role in trying to support them. Sometimes despite all of our best efforts and resources, we might still lose people to addiction, overdose and suicide.
We often hold mental health professionals to the unrealistic standard of saving everyone. We don’t have this expectation for our oncologists or cardiologists. We expect them to do the very best job they can based on the very best science and tools that exist. And, while deaths from heart disease and cancer are very tragic, we often give grace and even gratitude to our loved ones’ care providers in these areas.
In this episode, I speak with fellow psychologist, Dr. Dan Reidenberg about his experience losing a friend and board member to suicide. We lift up a call to action to the mental health community to expand the conversation on how suicide loss impacts those of us in the field of suicide prevention.
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:
Their film “My Sister Liv”
Their “Game that Goes There”
And their fashion line.
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.
They say laughter is the best medicine — why then, don’t we prescribe laughter? According to a study by the NIH, there are many health benefits:
laughter has an analgesic effect for pain without the negative side effects that comes with most other pain medications
laughter improves our mood impacting levels of depression, anxiety and stress by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol
laughter reduces agitation in people experiencing dementia
What if we prescribed the following when people are going through tough times:
Frequency: Laugh at least once a day
Dose: A full belly laugh
Duration: Over the course of a half hour
In this episode, I interview comedian and mental health therapist, Mike Cotayo about how a little laughter goes a long way in healing.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Burnout is costly to employers in several ways:
Employee turnover
Increased risk of worker injury or error
Deteriorating culture as energy becomes misdirected toward scapegoating
Contrary to conventional wisdom, burnout is not solely related to workload, it’s also related to feeling like “a cog in a machine.” When an unsustainable workload becomes even more stressful due to a lack of clarity, lack of control and an effort-reward imbalance, relationships become strained and people become siloed.
According to leading researchers, burnout is identified when three psychological states exist:
High levels of cynicism: an indifference, negative perspective
High levels of exhaustion: emotional, spiritual and physical
Low levels of professional efficacy: the belief in ones ability to make a difference.
Burnout can creep into a workplace and worsen over time. It often starts with an erosion of engagement. Work shifts from important, interesting and meaningful to exhausting. Next comes the erosion of emotions, where cynicism, anger, anxiety and depression start to surface. Finally, burned out workers comes to experience a mismatch between themselves and the organization. They lose faith that the organization has their best interests at heart.
In this episode, I have a delightful conversation with Susan Farese, RN - a healthcare worker and mentor, a Veteran, a poet and photographer and the owner of PR firm “SJF Communications.” We talk about how burnout is taking its toll on our healthcare teams, and how she uses poetry, among other tools to cope.
