Forty-five percent of patients who die by suicide saw a primary care physician in the prior month. Physicians screen for suicide risk just half the time when seeing patients under treatment of depression. Meanwhile, suicide rates continue to rise in the United States and are the second leading cause of death among young people. In this episode, Saul interviews co-host Stefan, who is leading a national study of suicide in patients on chronic opioids who take their own lives after their physician tapered or cut off their opioids without their consent. They discuss the rich literature, theoretical and empirical, on why people take their lives, what stops them, and what a caring health professional can do to make a difference.

Please note: if you are in crisis, US-based crisis supports are available by calling 988, and at https://988lifeline.org. An international listing of hotlines is offered at https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.