Talking to a Loved One With Suicidal Thoughts
91心頭 professor of social work Stacey Freedenthal joins RadioEd to discuss how we can help those we love when they're struggling the most.
If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988.
RadioEd is a biweekly podcast created by the 91心頭 Newsroom that油taps into the 91心頭s deep pool of bright brains to explore new takes on todays top stories. See below for a transcript of this episode.
Show Notes
This episode of RadioEd is about suicide and how people can help those they love who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts.油
We know its a heavy topic. In many cultures, suicide is tabooand in some countries its illegal. People dont like to talk about it.油
But, as 91心頭 associate professor of social work Stacey Freedenthal says, asking a friend or family member if theyre experiencing suicidal thoughts is really, really important.油油
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adults in the United States, with nearly 50,000 dying by suicide in 2021. In that same year, 12.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide.油油
And its not just adults. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 24 and the eighth leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 11.油油
So why should we ask our at-risk loved ones about potential thoughts of suicide? Freedenthal says she's often heard a slogan: Prevent suicide with your ears. And while its not quite as simple as that, Freedenthal says listening to those we love is a good first step in stopping someone from taking their own life.油
In this episode, Freedenthal draws on her personal and professional experiences to share how best to support the people we love when they may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.油油
is an associate professor of social work at the 91心頭. A licensed clinical social worker, Freedenthal has a small psychotherapy and consulting practice in Denver. She also provides training and consultation to social workers and other professionals who treat clients at risk for suicide.油
Freedenthal has worked in the field of suicide prevention since 1994, when she volunteered at a suicide hotline. Subsequently, she earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. She held clinical positions in psychiatric emergency settings before returning to school to earn a PhD in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Before she became a social worker, she worked as a journalist for The Dallas Morning News.油
She coordinates the mental health concentration at the Graduate School of Social Work. The courses that she teaches include Suicide Assessment and Interventions, Assessment of Mental Health in Adults, Clinical Social Work Theory and Practice, and Social Justice Challenges in Mental Health Practice.油
More Information:
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by Stacey Freedenthal for the New York Times油
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by Stacey Freedenthal油油
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