Leaving The Valley - Ep. 030 : Firearms & Suicide

Ep. 030 : Firearms & Suicide

05/20/21 • 37 min

Our mission on Leaving The Valley is to help reduce suicides. You simply cannot have a conversation about suicide prevention and not talk about firearms. Accessibility of a firearm leads to an increased risk of suicide. Over half of all suicides occur with a firearm. Additionally, the majority of deaths caused by guns are suicide (Not homicides.) The decision to end one's life is often impulsive. When a firearm is accessible, people may impulsively use it in a suicide attempt. When a weapon is used in a suicide attempt, it is almost always lethal.

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Ep. 029 : Mental Illness & Suicide

Unfortunately, 15% of people with a mental illness will die by suicide. Mental illness is a real illness and widely misunderstood. Like any major illness, if left untreated, having a mental illness can be fatal. We wanted to talk with experts on this subject, so we consulted with Dr. Mitch and Dr. Sharon Young. They are a husband and wife team with over four decades of expertise in treating those with mental illness. In this episode, we discuss what mental illness is, how to treat it, and how to prevent suicide for those with mental illness.

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Ep. 031 : The Workplace & Suicide

As people re-enter their workplaces after over a year of social distancing, it is inevitable that our mental health needs may look a little different than they did before the pandemic. Employers may need to be more sensitive towards the emotional needs of their employees and this may include an emphasis on suicide prevention. Even on the job there are things we can do to prevent suicide. If you notice a co-worker is struggling, it is appropriate to check-in with them. Many people fear asking if someone is suicidal. It is much harder to live with the feelings of regret for not taking red flags seriously than the temporary discomfort of one awkward conversation. Some jobs have higher risks of suicide amongst employees. In every office, but especially for high-risk professions, there must be an emphasis on preventing suicide from the top down.