“In an average day, 17 veterans die by suicide — not in a far-off place, but right here at home. Two service members die by suicide every day of the year. They’re our daughters. Our sons. Parents. Spouses. Siblings. Beloved friends and battle buddies… Each of these precious lives leaves behind loved ones who feel their absence every single day, like a black hole in the middle of their chests.” —President Biden, CNN 11/2/21

 Suicide is a major public health issue and among the top ten causes of death in the United States. More veterans die by suicide than in combat.

My guest discussed why it’s important to rethink our approach to suicide prevention and consider what is being done wrong since rates continue to rise. It’s time to reduce the stigma and blame around suicide and rethink how we can change things as a society instead of only seeing death by suicide as the result of a mental illness.

Listen Now to About Health—KPFA.org, 94.1FM (11/8/21)

*https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=367506*

 

Guest: Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is the author of “Rethinking Suicide, Why Prevention Fails, and How We Can Do Better. His research on suicide has led to the development and refinement of interventions that significantly reduce suicidal behaviors, and has been featured in major media outlets including Scientific American, CNN, Fox News, NPR, USA Today, New York Times, and the Washington Post. Dr. Bryan has published hundreds of scientific articles and multiple books, and has received numerous awards and recognitions for this work.

24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

(Languages: English, Spanish)