Not alone, not a burden: broadening the dialogue on suicide

Not alone, not a burden: broadening the dialogue on suicide

Author: Charts & Leisure September 10, 2024 Duration: 34:40

Special early release of Unravelling - one day early to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10.

In this episode of Unravelling, Kurt White interviews Kirk Woodring, a licensed social worker with extensive experience in suicide prevention. Kirk shares how his brother’s suicide and his work in crisis intervention have shaped both his personal and professional life. He discusses the stigma and discomfort that surround suicide, even among professionals, and challenges misconceptions like the idea that talking about it encourages suicidal behavior. He stresses the importance of normalizing these conversations to reduce isolation and open avenues for help. Reflecting on his brother’s death, Kirk reveals the difficulties of addressing suicide with loved ones, even as a mental health professional.

Links:

https://afsp.org/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

https://988lifeline.org/ 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 to talk to someone confidentially, available 24/7/365


There’s a thread that connects our inner lives to the culture we live in, and Unravelling pulls on it to see what emerges. This isn’t a lecture series, but a conversation guided by therapist Kurt White and journalist Mary Wilson, who bring their distinct perspectives to every discussion. They explore how mental health is woven into everything from our daily fitness routines and societal pressures to the art we consume and the relationships we keep. In each episode, you’ll hear from experts who study the mind alongside individuals sharing their personal, lived experiences, creating a dialogue that feels both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. The aim is to move beyond simple definitions, examining how anxiety, resilience, joy, and struggle shape our collective reality. Produced by Charts & Leisure, this podcast provides a space for nuance, challenging the idea that our psychological worlds exist in a vacuum. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the tension between their private thoughts and the public world, offering not easy answers but a more textured understanding. By listening, you become part of a broader exploration into how compassion, for ourselves and our society, can actually be built from a place of genuine curiosity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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