How to Save a Life Podcast Podcast

How to Save a Life Podcast
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Maureen Pollard and Alyssa Warmland believe that everyone has the capacity to take direct action for suicide prevention through increased awareness, expansive compassion, and specific knowledge about what can help. howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Sep 10

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    It can take a lot of energy to support someone who’s thinking about suicide. Between the worry you feel for their safety and the effort you spend showing up to help them feel cared for, it takes a toll. In this episode, we talk about strategies for self-preservation. You’ve made it this far, so we know you already have great coping skills. Still, it never hurts to add a few new ideas to your self-care tool kit, and we hope we’ve got something to offer that will help you as you help others. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  2. Sep 3

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    The grief that arrives when someone you care about dies by suicide is unlike other grief. The nature of this death involves guilt, shame, and regret along with all of the usual feelings we tumble through in any kind of grief. Our grief can be made more difficult to bear because of the stigma associated with suicide, or because of the trauma of the loss. It’s important to take good care of yourself if you’re bereaved by suicide. You’re not alone, and there are people ready and willing to support you as you navigate this tragic loss. If you’re in crisis, you can call 988 in Canada to receive immediate support at any time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  3. Aug 27

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    When should you call 911? When someone we care about is thinking about suicide, we want to hand it over to the experts so they can use their training and skill to keep our person alive. While it’s true that first responders and medical staff sometimes have training and skills in suicide prevention, calling 911 is also a crisis situation that can be traumatic. In this episode, we talk honestly about the risks and benefits of calling 911 and accessing inpatient care. The most important time to call for help is when the person is unable to agree to a safety plan to stay alive even for a few hours. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  4. Aug 20

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    Humans often have harsh reactions when they’re afraid, so it’s no surprise if your first thoughts lean into criticism or anger when you learn someone you care about is thinking about suicide. You might even be influenced by the myths that suicide is selfish and cowardly, and although neither is true these ideas can shape your reaction. In this episode, our aim is to help you balance that fear with compassion as you offer support. We’ll help identify things to avoid, including giving advice, sharing opinions in these difficult moments, or trying to control the person. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  5. Aug 13

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    Let’s talk about safety planning. When someone we care about is thinking about suicide, we want nothing more than we want them to stay alive. We want them to agree to live, to stay safe and to feel better. In this episode we’re sharing ideas and strategies for building the most effective safety plan. Some key tips: * Keep it short. Planning for the next 24 hours is good, and sometimes you can go longer but often you’ll need to make it shorter. * Keep it simple. What are their top 3 comfort strategies they can access if they’re feeling the pain? Who are their top 3 contacts they can call anytime? * Give them lots of choice. When you empower them to choose the steps to include in their safety plan, they’ll feel more confident following it when it’s needed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  6. Aug 6

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    It seems counterintuitive to suggest that you sit with the person’s pain first, when every fibre of your being wants to do something to help keep them alive. It can be hard to imagine, but when you explore the things that are causing them pain, it can give some relief and just talking it out can also allow the person to shift their perspective. As they speak about their problems, you may also hear them mention things that feel more hopeful - a pet they love, plans with a person they care about, some activity they enjoy doing. When they seem to be feeling some relief, you can ask them about these positive parts of their life, exploring the resources they’ve already got in place even if their pain has temporarily dimmed those lights for them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  7. Jul 30

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    What do I do if they ARE thinking about suicide? When you’re able to ask the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” clearly and directly, sometimes the answer might be yes. When that happens it can be terrifying and your first instinct might be to call 911. That might be the right call, but in this episode, we’re also offering some options to help you stay grounded yourself, and to begin by using empathy and active listening to help the person feel heard and understood in their pain. When you’re able to stay calm and explore their feelings and thoughts in conversation, they may experience relief from the hopelessness and helplessness that contributes to thoughts of suicide. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  8. Jul 23

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    When you know the signs that someone is thinking about suicide, it can create deep anxiety about what will happen next. Learn how to talk about their feelings, to ask the question, clearly and directly, and how to think about suicide as a spectrum when you’re wondering how to support someone. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  9. Jul 16

    How to Save a Life: Direction Action for Suicide Prevention

    What is prevention? Suicide prevention happens whenever we take action to enhance life, making it easier to survive and thrive. Some keys to suicide prevention include housing, income, food security, access to effective mental health treatment, social supports and developing coping skills. Learn the warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide. Awareness helps you know when to take direct action for prevention. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  10. Jul 9

    How to Save a Life: Direct Action for Suicide Prevention

    What is suicide and how does it become an option? Maureen and Alyssa introduce themselves and the topic, sharing a simple definition and several relevant statistics. This episode also discusses several factors that can contribute to suicidal thoughts and attempts. This podcast does not offer medical advice or psychological care. If you are in distress, please reach out to a care provider in your region. In Canada, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Crisis Helpline anytime, day or night. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

  • 10 Episodes

About

Maureen Pollard and Alyssa Warmland believe that everyone has the capacity to take direct action for suicide prevention through increased awareness, expansive compassion, and specific knowledge about what can help. howtosavealifepodcast.substack.com

Information