The most dangerous myth in mental health, that asking someone about suicide plants the idea, is medically false, and it is costing veteran lives. US veterans die by suicide at more than twice the rate of the general population, and licensed professional counselor and Army veteran Healy Ikerd has spent her career asking the one question most people are too afraid to say out loud.
Healy breaks down why direct conversation about suicide does not increase risk, why veterans are often more comfortable opening up to strangers than to the people closest to them, and what one specific question can do when everything else has failed. If you love, work alongside, or serve veterans or first responders, and you have ever hesitated to bring it up, this episode gives you the language and the confidence to ask.
For anyone who wants to be the person that someone reaches out to, rather than the person who wishes they had said something sooner.
If you or someone you know needs support: call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, US) or visit crisis988.com.
Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal ideation, and veteran mental health. Please take care of yourself as you listen.
CHAPTERS
7:00 Debunking the Planting-the-Idea Myth
15:00 Suicide Rates: General Population vs. Veterans
22:00 Youth, Seniors, and Unique Risk Factors
30:00 The One Question That Changes Everything
38:00 Crisis Planning With Teens
Caregiver Resources
No Barriers USA Caregivers Program
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DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.