Ep114: Breaking the Silence: Understanding Suicide, Intervention Strategies, and the Impact on First Responders

There's no easy way to talk about suicide, but isn't it time we stopped shying away from this challenging topic? We're sitting down with Dr. Rosalie S. Aldrich, a dear friend, colleague, and expert on suicide, to shed light on this silent epidemic. We delve into her research, discuss how to recognize signs of someone at risk, and broach practical strategies on how we can motivate interventions.

Imagine if we could equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to potentially save a life. In our conversation with Dr. Aldrich, we explore practical intervention strategies, sharing a variety of ways to reach out and understand that intervention may take more than one attempt. We shed light on the prevalence of suicide in the US, and its dreadful impact on different age groups, especially those aged 20-34 years.

While discussing suicide, we also need to talk about those who witness its aftermath. What happens to our first responders, the firefighters, EMTs, and police officers who deal with suicide cases? Dr. Aldrich and her colleague, in their research, have discovered how repeated exposure to suicide affects their mental health. We explore their findings and also hear from a police officer about the trauma and guilt they face. This episode is a call to action. It's about understanding the pain, fostering empathy, and, most importantly, providing support. Together, we can make a difference.

If you, or someone you know, is having mental health challenges and is in need of assistance, please contact 988.

Academic Adventures & Advice with Dr. Rosalie S. Aldrich. The link is https://academicadventuresadvice.wordpress.com/

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