Brain Hijack

How should we memorialize someone who has died by suicide? To help answer that question, Brooke and Adam speak with Dr. Keita Franklin, a national leader in suicide. Dr. Franklin shares why we should be memorializing someone who died by suicide in the same way as those who died by other means. It can feel uncomfortable to talk to person who has lost someone to suicide; however, Dr. Franklin notes...

Do LGBTQ+ individuals have the same risk factors for suicide as the general population? Today we speak to Dr. Kate Comtois, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Washington University, about LGBTQ+ community and its increased risk of suicide. She highlights the impact social media has had in creating a space where bullying is much more public and longer lasting tha...

Today’s episode addresses the myth, “If access to one method of suicide is restricted, will another method be used instead?” Brooke and Adam speak to Dr. James C. West, host of the critically acclaimed podcast “Let’s Talk About Your Guns” a series that discusses gun safety by unpacking real-life scenarios. Listen in as Dr. West talks about the impulsivity around the act of suicide and why ready ac...

On today’s episode, special guest host Dr. Joshua Morganstein talks to guest speaker Dr. Steven Dubovsky about managing intense moments. Dr. Dubovsky shares his experience as a firefighter/EMT to give us an inside look at how people working in high intensity jobs cope with stress. One key takeaway is that the firefighter community is a great example of showing up for people (both on and off the cl...

Today’s episode addresses the myth that “teens say they are suicidal to manipulate their parents and teachers.” While this may happen, a 2021 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey asked teenagers if they have had any suicidal thoughts in the last 30 days and an astonishing 3.3 million teenagers responded “Yes, I’ve had serious thoughts of suicide”. Brooke and Adam, speak...

As a parent, you always want the best for your child; however, you can do everything seemingly right and still unfortunate events unfold. Today, Brooke and Adam speak with Mr. Dennis Ward, a Registered Nurse about his experience losing his son to suicide and what life looks like after losing a child to suicide. A native Texan, Dennis joined the Air Force in 1994. Becoming a Fuels Technician, he sp...

Is it true that “All people who have thoughts of suicide, have a mental illness?” What about, “If you have suicidal thoughts once, you’ll always be suicidal?” Listen in to learn why the answer to both of these questions is “NO.” Our guest today, Dr. Craig Bryan, a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology, shares new research that points to suicidal thinking being hi...

Did you know that the time after a patient is discharged from the hospital, is one of the highest times for suicide death? Brooke and Adam speak with Dr. Julie Goldstein Grumet, the Director of the Zero Suicide Institute at the Education Development Center, about how this seemingly counter-intuitive occurrence could be reduced through strategic system changes within hospitals. Dr. Goldstein Grumet...

Are doctors or mental health professionals the only people allowed to ask someone if they are suicidal? On today’s episode, Brooke and Adam speak to Dr. Kelly Posner about how we often expect doctors and other healthcare professionals to ask the “difficult” questions when it comes to someone’s health, particularly around suicidal ideation. Dr. Posner explains how many people think if you, a non-he...

On today’s episode of Brain Hijack, we discuss the myth that “People who are thinking of suicide, always tell someone they are thinking of suicide.” Adam and Brooke speak with Dr. Matthew Nock, a Harvard professor whose research is aimed at advancing the understanding of why people behave in ways that are harmful to themselves, with an emphasis on suicide. Dr. Nock shares how the majority of peopl...

On today’s episode of Brain Hijack, we learn how Brooke and Adam came to work in the field of suicide prevention. We also look at the myth, “The words we use and the way media talks about suicide has no influence on people’s behavior.” Brooke and Adam go on to discuss the importance of certain words when talking about suicide. When speaking with someone who is going through a difficult time, certa...

Today Brooke and Adam discuss why the statement “You can't call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line anonymously" is FALSE. Listen in as they speak with Dr. April Naturale, the Interim Executive Director for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, about what to expect when you call the 988 suicide crisis line. Dr. Naturale explains the difference between 988 and 911 and how the 988 suicide and crisis line...

On today’s episode, we discuss why the myth that “suicide rates increase over the holidays” is incorrect. Listen in as Brooke and Adam speak with Dr. Thomas Joiner, an American psychologist and The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology at Florida State University (FSU), about what it means to belong and how a little bit of caring goes a long way. https://en.wikip...

On today’s episode of Brain Hijack, we tackle the question "Does asking someone if they are suicidal make them suicidal?" To help us debunk this myth, we spoke to Cory Will. We'll learn how talking about suicide does not lead to nor encourages suicide, but rather provides the other person with an opportunity to express thoughts and feelings about something they may be keeping secret, and/or obtain...

On today’s episode of Brain Hijack, we respond to the myth "Once a person thinks about suicide, they will never change their mind and they will die by suicide." Listen in as Adam and Brooke speak with Dr. Marjan Holloway, a Professor of Medical and Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry at Uniformed Services University about self-regulation as it relates to suicidal thoughts. Dr. Holloway emphasizes t...

On today’s episode of Brain Hijack, we respond to the question, "Do clinical professionals always know who is at risk for suicide?" The short answer, "No." Listen in as Adam and Brooke speak with Dr. Peter Gutierrez, Executive Vice President, Innovation at LivingWorks on why a community, public health approach to suicide prevention is so important. Dr. Gutierrez explains what it means to be an "ef...