AFSP Podcast Channel

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Hueman Group Media
  • 4.6 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Podcast Channel, the official podcast home for Strong Talk, Ask Dr. Jill, and Elevating Voices—three unique series focused on mental health, suicide prevention, and health equity. Strong Talk is hosted by Vic Armstrong, AFSP’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement. Each episode features in-depth conversations with mental health experts, advocates, and leaders about the challenges and solutions to making mental healthcare accessible to all. Ask Dr. Jill features Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, AFSP’s Senior Vice President of Research, answering real mental health questions with the latest scientific research and help from fellow experts in the field. Elevating Voices is a roundtable discussion series hosted by Vic Armstrong. Each episode brings together members of diverse communities to uncover the unique mental health challenges they face, and discuss strategies for solving them.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is America’s leading suicide prevention organization and the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, with local chapters in all 50 states., D.C. and Puerto Rico. AFSP offers education, loss support, and advocacy programs and events nationwide, including the Out of the Darkness Walks. You can learn more at AFSP.org.  For other forms of support, including resources for survivors of suicide loss, what to do if you’re worried about someone, and guidance if you’ve survived a suicide attempt, visit AFSP’s Get Help page: afsp.org/get-help If you or anyone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for free, 24/7, to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

  1. Elevating Voices: What We Can Do to Prevent Veteran Suicide

    May 27

    Elevating Voices: What We Can Do to Prevent Veteran Suicide

    Every day in the United States, 17 veterans die by suicide — roughly double the rate of the general population. What's driving this crisis, and what can we do to stop it? Today, host Vic Armstrong brings together three advocates from different veterans' mental health organizations who are approaching this problem from different angles. Dan Miller is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and the Communications Director for K9s for Veterans, a nonprofit that provides highly trained service dogs to help veterans manage post-traumatic stress disorder and transition back to civilian life. Keith Hotle is the CEO of Stop Soldier Suicide, a national nonprofit focused solely on solving the problem of suicide among U.S. veterans and service members. Betsey Mercado is Executive Director of Objective Zero, an organization that connects active duty members, veterans, family members, and caregivers with peers and provides free mental health resources, training, and tools. Together, they discuss he factors driving suicide among veterans, the warning signs loved ones should watch for, the kinds of support that make a difference, and the progress that's giving them hope.  To learn more about K-9 for Veterans, visit: https://www.k9sforveteransnfp.org To learn more about Stop Solider Suicide, visit: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org To learn more about Objective Zero, visit: https://www.objectivezero.org To learn more about AFSP, visit: afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    59 min
  2. Strong Talk: Your Barber Could Save Your Life with Jimmy Evans

    May 13

    Strong Talk: Your Barber Could Save Your Life with Jimmy Evans

    A trip to the barbershop can lead to a lot more than a fresh cut. It's also an opportunity to connect, engage with your community and be heard. After 30 years behind the chair, Jimmy Evans recognized the unique opportunity he and his fellow barbers had to help those struggling in silence. So he created the Barbershop Therapy Foundation, an organization that trains barbers in marginalized communities to advocate for mental health, connect clients with essential resources, and destigmatize mental illness. In this episode, he shares his story, what he's learned, and his vision for what barbershops can become. To learn more about the Barbershop Therapy Foundation, visit https://barbershop-therapy.org To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations. The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    45 min
  3. Ask Dr. Jill: The AFSP 2026 Research Awards Dinner Special

    May 4

    Ask Dr. Jill: The AFSP 2026 Research Awards Dinner Special

    In this special episode, we celebrate the work of two exceptional researchers being honored at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s  2026 Research Awards Dinner: Dr. Jane Pearson, Special Advisor to the Director for Suicide Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Lifetime Achievement Award  Dr. Holly Wilcox, Professor, Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Annual Research Award Together with host Dr. Jill, they look back at decades of suicide prevention research, including work on research ethics, youth suicide, and the role of firearms. They also reflect on the legacy of the 2001 U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention — which turns 25 this year — and how it compares to the 2024 update. 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604165 To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    52 min
  4. Elevating Voices: The State of Mental Health Across LGBTQ+ Communities

    Apr 1

    Elevating Voices: The State of Mental Health Across LGBTQ+ Communities

    The LGBTQ+ community isn’t a monolith. It includes people from different generations, genders, races, classes, and experiences, each with their own relationship to mental health care. In this episode, host Vic Armstrong brings together three advocates from different organizations on the front lines of LGBTQ+ mental health to examine what the community needs most right now. Dr. Ronita Nath is Vice President of Research at The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ young people.  Ernesto Finales is Director of Care Management at SAGE USA, an organization providing advocacy, support, and resources for LGBTQ+ elders.  Kai Alvia Horton is Executive Director of Trans Lifeline, a trans-run nonprofit offering peer support, crisis hotline services, and resources for trans people. Together, they explore what younger and older generations can learn from each other, how research and advocacy intersect, and why keeping our shared humanity at the center of this work matters now more than ever. To learn more about The Trevor Project, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org To learn more about Trans Lifeline visit https://translifeline.org To learn more about SAGE USA visit http://sageusa.org To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    54 min
  5. Strong Talk: Growing Up Between Two Cultures with Sahaj Kohli

    Mar 18

    Strong Talk: Growing Up Between Two Cultures with Sahaj Kohli

    Our first impression of mental health often comes from family and culture. But what if that impression doesn't work for you? How can you adopt a healthier relationship with mental health while maintaining a connection to your culture? In today's episode, host Vic Armstrong speaks with Sahaj Kohli — therapist, author, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest mental health and wellness organization for children of immigrants. Vic and Sahaj discuss the impact of growing up bicultural and the tension between Western individualism, which emphasizes self-reliance and personal autonomy, and Eastern collectivism, which prioritizes interdependence and collective responsibility. Sahaj also shares tips on how to manage your mental health without familial support, along with advice for therapists on how to be more culturally responsive toward their clients. Because regardless of your background or upbringing, you deserve care. To learn more about Brown Girl Therapy, visit https://sahajkaurkohli.com/brown-girl-therapy  To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    43 min
  6. Ask Dr. Jill: How Traumatic Brain Injury Can Impact Mental Health

    Mar 4

    Ask Dr. Jill: How Traumatic Brain Injury Can Impact Mental Health

    Although a traumatic brain injury can profoundly change someone's life, it doesn't have to be the end of the story. In this episode, Dr. Jill speaks with Dr. Lisa Brenner, a Board-Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist and leading expert on traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this episode, Dr. Jill and Dr. Brenner explain why people who've suffered TBIs can subsequently experience depression and suicidal ideation, along with the techniques and therapies that have been proven to help. They also share practical advice for those whose loved ones are coping with a TBI, as well as guidance for therapists working with TBI patients.  The Brain Injury Association of America: https://biausa.org VA’s TBI Treatment page: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/tbi/treatment.asp VA Brain Health Coordinating Center: https://www.research.va.gov/resources/bhcc TBI Toolkit: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/tbi_toolkit Concussion & CTE Foundation: https://concussionandcte.org To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    50 min
  7. Strong Talk: Grieving Is More Than Sadness With April Simpkins

    Feb 18

    Strong Talk: Grieving Is More Than Sadness With April Simpkins

    Grief is a complex emotion, and for many people, it can often be accompanied by feelings like shame or guilt. But grief can also co-exist with positive emotions like joy — and that’s okay. Everyone grieves differently, and grief can look different from moment to moment. It can also be a motivator to take action. In today’s episode of Strong Talk, passionate mental health advocateApril Simpkins opens up to host Vic Armstrong about losing her daughter, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, to suicide. April shares her difficult and inspiring journey through loss, which included shame, guilt, and even reclaiming experiences of joy along the way. She also discusses turning her pain into purpose by publishing her late daughter’s posthumous memoir framed with her own perspective as a mother, founding the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, and becoming the CEO of Paragon Strategy Partners, an HR consulting firm with a focus on mental well-being in the workplace. Check out April Simpkins and Cheslie C. Kryst’s book By the Time You Read This here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/By-the-Time-You-Read-This/April-Simpkins/9781637633007 To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    44 min
  8. Strong Talk: How to Make Real Connections in a Digital World With Shahem Mclaurin

    Feb 4

    Strong Talk: How to Make Real Connections in a Digital World With Shahem Mclaurin

    Mental health conversations are becoming more common in the Black community, but systemic barriers still limit access to care. In this Black History Month episode, host Vic Armstrong speaks with Shahem McLaurin — a Black, genderqueer, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and influencer — about the root causes of mental health disparities, and how a strong community can solve them.  Shahem also shares their journey through graduate school, where they confronted the inequities baked into social work, and turned an insult into a brand: Dr. Durag. To learn more about Shahem, visit https://www.5hahem.com To learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Podcast Channel, the official podcast home for Strong Talk, Ask Dr. Jill, and Elevating Voices—three unique series focused on mental health, suicide prevention, and health equity. Strong Talk is hosted by Vic Armstrong, AFSP’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement. Each episode features in-depth conversations with mental health experts, advocates, and leaders about the challenges and solutions to making mental healthcare accessible to all. Ask Dr. Jill features Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, AFSP’s Senior Vice President of Research, answering real mental health questions with the latest scientific research and help from fellow experts in the field. Elevating Voices is a roundtable discussion series hosted by Vic Armstrong. Each episode brings together members of diverse communities to uncover the unique mental health challenges they face, and discuss strategies for solving them.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is America’s leading suicide prevention organization and the largest private funder of suicide prevention research, with local chapters in all 50 states., D.C. and Puerto Rico. AFSP offers education, loss support, and advocacy programs and events nationwide, including the Out of the Darkness Walks. You can learn more at AFSP.org.  For other forms of support, including resources for survivors of suicide loss, what to do if you’re worried about someone, and guidance if you’ve survived a suicide attempt, visit AFSP’s Get Help page: afsp.org/get-help If you or anyone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for free, 24/7, to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Information

  • Creator
    American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Hueman Group Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AFSP Podcast Channel
  • Show Website
    AFSP Podcast Channel