For older adults, risk factors such as social isolation and chronic pain can cause severe depression — and when you add the element of cognitive decline and the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's, those risk factors multiply. As September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, this Line One focuses on a critical but often overlooked public health issue: the mental health of our aging population. When we talk about suicide prevention, the conversation frequently centers on younger demographics, but the reality is that older adults are profoundly vulnerable.

A new Anchorage Police Department program brings peers in recovery to work with the force. Peers do outreach with an officer and social worker on a team and help people get to detox and recovery treatment.

Guest host Hannah Flor and reporter Rachel Cassandra discuss the new program that helps Alaskans experiencing addiction. This is a very special episode in which Cassandra shares recordings from the field with Flor, including recordings of peers doing outreach and transporting someone to detox. Flor and Cassandra discuss the complexities of addiction treatment and how it intersects with public safety.