AFSP Podcast Channel

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 [https://www.k9sforveteransnfp.org/index.html] To learn more about Stop Solider Suicide, visit: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org [https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/] To learn more about Objective Zero, visit: https://www.objectivezero.org [https://www.objectivezero.org/] To learn more about AFSP, visit: afsp.org [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.

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 [https://barbershop-therapy.org/] To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org [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. 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.

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 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604165/] To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org [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.

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 [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/] To learn more about Trans Lifeline visit https://translifeline.org [https://translifeline.org/] To learn more about SAGE USA visit http://sageusa.org [http://sageusa.org/] To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org [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.

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 [https://sahajkaurkohli.com/brown-girl-therapy]  To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org [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.