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*Trigger Warning*: This episode discusses suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, depression, self-harm, and mental distress. Please take care while listening.

If you feel unable to stay safe, please contact your local emergency services or a suicide crisis helpline immediately. In this deeply personal episode of Ella Podcasts, we talk openly about managing suicidal thoughts, why they happen, what can trigger them, what helps in the darkest moments, and why it is worth staying alive.

When I told people I was covering this topic, some warned me not to. But someone has to talk about what so many people silently endure, especially when children, teenagers, and adults are losing their lives before they’ve had the chance to discover what life might still hold for them.

Joining me are:

🔹 Dr Jonathan Marshall – Psychologist and former professor
🔹 Sarah Cole – Educational coach sharing her lived experience of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
🔹 Chris Galea – Samaritans volunteer, leadership coach, and lecturer in suicide risk assessment

Sarah shares with extraordinary honesty what it felt like to live with suicidal thoughts from a young age, how she survived, and what she now teaches young people about emotional regulation, belonging, movement, hope, and recovery.

This episode is for anyone who has struggled, anyone supporting someone they love, and anyone who wants to better understand the reality of suicidal thoughts without judgment or fear.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✔ Suicidal thoughts can be shaped by both biology and life experience
✔ Many people who struggle do not look visibly distressed
✔ Asking about suicide does not plant the idea — it can open the door to help
✔ Shame and isolation can make suicidal thinking worse
✔ Small coping tools matter: journaling, movement, music, pets, routine, and connection
✔ Even a small glimmer of hope can be enough to help someone hold on

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for support. Talk to:
A doctor or GP
A therapist or counsellor
A trusted teacher or adult
A crisis line or suicide prevention hotline
A friend who can stay with you and listen without judgment

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.
https://www.youtube.com/@EllasPodcasts-z9v?sub_confirmation=1 

🔗 Stay Connected With Us.

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✅ About Ella Podcasts.

Welcome to Ella Podcasts, a space where we openly talk about tough times and the struggles that come with them. Hosted by Ella Sherman and clinical psychologist Dr. Jonathan Marshall, this podcast shares personal experiences, feelings, and practical tools to help you cope and build resilience. 

We discuss topics like loss, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem, and life changes, offering support and understanding. Each episode includes insights from two special guests to help you feel less alone and find ways to face challenges with hope and a touch of humor. Join us for honest conversations that lift the weight off your shoulders and guide you through life's difficult moments.

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