Showing posts with label suicide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suicide. Show all posts

Sunday, September 21, 2025

The Second Amendment is Killing America (Andrew Seidel; One Nation, Indivisible podcast Episode #030)

In the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, Andrew explores the meaning of political violence and the toll the Second Amendment is taking. Trigger warning. Guns. Gun Violence. Suicide. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
Interview: 


Wednesday, April 23, 2025

HHS Plans to Cut the National Suicide Hotline’s Program for LGBTQ Youth – Mother Jones

"Here we are cutting off the nation's lifeline to those in crisis," says Paolo del Vecchio, former director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Office of Recovery. "Due to the discriminatory practices of the Trump administration, they're pulling that life preserver away from thousands and thousands of people."…

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/national-suicide-hotline-lgbtq-youth-cuts-rfk-jr-hhs/ 


 

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Unveiling Mormon Secrets with Dr. John Dehlin - Part 2

In the latest episode of the Cross Examiner podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Dr. John Dehlin, host of the Mormon Stories podcast. ( / mormonstories )  (Part 1 was here.)

Dr. Dehlin, an ex-Mormon, has dedicated his career to exposing the truths behind Mormon practices and helping others navigate their own faith crises. This episode is a continuation of our in-depth conversation with him, exploring the psychological and social impacts of religious indoctrination, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the role of misinformation.

Dr. Dehlin's journey is both compelling and relatable. Raised as a sixth-generation Mormon, he was taught to obey and follow the church's teachings without question. However, cracks began to form in his faith as he encountered various inconsistencies and ethical concerns, particularly during his mission in Guatemala. His experiences there, coupled with the rise of the internet and the availability of information, led him to question the very foundations of his beliefs.

One of the most striking aspects of Dr. Dehlin's story is the concept of the "shelf." In the Mormon and post-Mormon world, individuals are encouraged to put doubts and questions on a metaphorical shelf, trusting that answers will come in time. For Dr. Dehlin, the shelf eventually became too heavy to bear, leading to a profound crisis of faith. This journey of questioning and seeking truth is something many can relate to, regardless of their religious background.

The episode also delves into the broader implications of religious indoctrination and the rise of secular support systems. Dr. Dehlin discusses the importance of organizations like Recovering from Religion and the Secular Therapy Project, which provide crucial support for individuals leaving high-demand religions. These organizations offer a safe space for people to explore their doubts and find a community that understands their struggles.

One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when Dr. Dehlin talks about the psychological impact of leaving a high-demand religion. He shares how many individuals experience anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as they grapple with the loss of their faith and the subsequent social and familial fallout. This highlights the critical need for mental health support and resources for those undergoing such transitions.

Dr. Dehlin's work with the Mormon Stories podcast has not only helped countless individuals but also shed light on the broader human experience. As he aptly puts it, "The Mormon story is the human story." By sharing personal narratives, his podcast fosters empathy and understanding, encouraging listeners to see the common threads that connect us all.

For those interested in exploring these themes further, we highly recommend tuning into this episode. Dr. Dehlin's insights and experiences offer a valuable perspective on the intersection of religion, truth, and personal transformation. Whether you're grappling with your own faith or simply curious about the human condition, this episode is sure to resonate.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation. Listen to the full episode now and join us on this journey of discovery and understanding. 
Interview: 
https://youtu.be/9jyuMNzRCMc?si=kVxxjVSarmz8oiW-

Chapters: 
(00:00) Introduction 
(03:00) Dr. John Dehlin's Background 
(10:00) Questioning Faith and "The Shelf" 
(20:00) Mission Experiences and Ethical Concerns 
(30:00) The Role of the Internet and Information 
(40:00) Psychological Impact and Counseling 
(50:00) The Rise of the Nones and Decline in Membership 
(01:00:00) Exposing Harmful Practices 
(01:10:00) The Importance of Secular Support Systems 
(01:20:00) Collaboration with Other Ex-Religious Communities 
(01:30:00) Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Friday, November 24, 2023

Healing the 'Invisible Ache' behind the suicide crisis among Black men and boys (Tonya Mosley; Fresh Air podcast)

Actor Courtney B. Vance was a young actor on Broadway in the 1990s when he received a call from his mother that would tear his world apart: His father was dead, she said, by suicide. Years later, Vance's godson, a promising college student, would also die by suicide.

In the wake of these devastating losses, Vance has focused on peeling back the layers of both his father's pain and his own struggles as a Black man in America. In a new book, The Invisible Ache, Vance and psychologist Robin L. Smith (who often goes by Dr. Robin) explore the trauma unique to Black men and boys, and address what they see as an urgent need to change the conversation about mental health.

"[With] Black boys and Black men, the rates of suicide is increasing," Smith says. "The rate is accelerating faster than any other group in the country, in the United States. And so we have to ask why."

Smith points to a modern culture of isolation and loneliness, which the surgeon general has referred to as a public health emergency. But, she adds, those factors are compounded for Black men and boys.

"If we then put race and racism with isolation and loneliness, surely we understand that Black boys and Black men are up against historical trauma as well as current-day trauma," Smith says.

Though the book is focused on the mental health of Black boys and men, Vance says the issue has universal implications: "We are all interconnected. ... My ache is your ache. If I'm aching, [and] you [are] clutching your purse as I walk by, you're aching. You're as much in a prison as I am," he says.
Interview: 



Saturday, April 22, 2023

Hopelessness about the future is a key reason some Black young adults consider suicide, new study finds

"In my study, the primary reasons Black young adults consider suicide could be grouped into three main categories. First, people who experienced pronounced feelings of failure, hopelessness, being overwhelmed and a lack of accomplishment made up about 59% of the study sample. The second category, which comprised nearly one-third of study participants, included those who considered suicide because they felt somewhat hopeless and other reasons not captured in this study. The final category included Black young adults who reported that although they were accomplished in life, they still felt extremely lonely and sad. Participants in this last group made up 9% of the total study sample."

Friday, January 6, 2023

Why Religion is Not the Answer: Rejection, Torture, and Eternal Damnation (Student Essay contest 6th place)

"According to the Trevor Project in 2020, LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Rates of depression and drug use are also elevated in this population. 

These issues become more pronounced in those who are transgender, of color or disabled. Research conducted by the Family Acceptance Project found that among LGBTQ+ youth, one-third experience parental rejection. Highly religious families were the least likely to be accepting. Those whose families reject them are at a higher risk for mental health issues and major health concerns including HIV. 

Rejection in these cases often included alienation, preventing access to support, using religious beliefs to remind their children of damnation and hell, and sending children to clergy or other providers to “change” their LGBTQ+ identity."...


Friday, March 25, 2022

Utah Gov. Cox vetoes transgender athlete bill, citing suicide rates - The Washington Post

"Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports. That's what this is all about," Cox wrote. "Four kids who aren't dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are part of something."…


Sunday, February 6, 2022

Suicides, living conditions spark concern among Texas National Guard deployed at border - ABC News

In recent months, dozens of state lawmakers and members of Congress have called on the Department of Justice to investigate Operation Lone Star, citing concerns over civil rights violations and the reported suicides. In December 2021, the ACLU of Texas and other civil rights groups asked the DOJ to investigate the mission, which authorizes members of the National and state law enforcement agencies to detain or arrest migrants suspected of trespassing on private or state property. They cited alleged incidents of racial profiling and cases where migrants were lured onto private land so they could be arrested.


Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Acceptance reduces suicide risk for intersex youths by more than 50 percent: report | TheHill

Nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth who are also intersex have seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to a new report from the Trevor Project, but acceptance from family can significantly reduce that number…


Monday, December 6, 2021

Sarco suicide capsule ‘passes legal review’ in Switzerland - SWI swissinfo.ch

…The capsule is sitting on a piece of equipment that will flood the interior with nitrogen, rapidly reducing the oxygen level to 1 per cent from 21 per cent. The person will feel a little disoriented and may feel slightly euphoric before they lose consciousness. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds. Death takes place through hypoxia and hypocapnia, oxygen and carbon dioxide deprivation, respectively. There is no panic, no choking feeling…









Click Older Posts above to see more.