It's a Tough Subject

Why Suicide IS a Public Health Issue (And Why That Matters)

Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org [http://www.halfasorrow.org/] Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ [https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/] Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ [https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/] Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ [https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/] Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 [https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020] Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K8ErFBwELUU [https://youtu.be/K8ErFBwELUU] In this powerful episode of It's a Tough Subject, Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seel take on a critical and often misunderstood topic: Why suicide must be recognized as a public health issue. Jessica shares insights from her new role in public health leadership, challenging the outdated idea that mental health exists separately from public health. Together, she and Dennis explore how suicide impacts not just individuals, but families, schools, workplaces, and entire communities. From deeply personal stories of loss to eye-opening statistics, this conversation reveals the true ripple effect of suicide—and why awareness, advocacy, and honest dialogue are more important than ever. They also dive into: * The connection between mental health, substance use, and broader public health challenges * Why language matters and why we need to say the word "suicide" * The importance of prevention, intervention, and postvention * How individuals can use their voice to create change in their communities This episode is a call to action: to speak up, get involved, and help build a world where fewer people struggle in silence. Because behind every number… is a story that matters.

The Mental Health Shift No One Saw Coming

Episode Description Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org [http://www.halfasorrow.org/] Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ [https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/] Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ [https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/] Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ [https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/] Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 [https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020] In this special episode of It's a Tough Subject, Dennis Gillan flips the script and becomes the guest—interviewed by a Gen Z college student exploring the realities of mental health today. Together, they unpack generational differences, the impact of social media, the power of connection, and why talking about mental health may be the most important shift happening right now. From college pressures to real-life struggles, this conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply human—reminding us that no one has to go through it alone.

What Our Devices Know: Suicide Loss, Data, and Hope

Episode Description Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org [http://www.halfasorrow.org/] Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ [https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/] Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ [https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/] Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ [https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/] Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 [https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020] Our Guest: Kim Burnett Bartlett The Black Box Project Website: https://bbxproject.org/ [https://bbxproject.org/] Episode Notes: Postvention is prevention. In this powerful episode of It's a Tough Subject, Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seel welcome Kim Burnett Bartlett of the Black Box Project for a deeply important conversation about suicide loss, digital footprints, and how families can help prevent future tragedies. Kim shares her personal story of losing her younger brother, John, to suicide in 2010 and how that life-changing loss led her into the world of suicide postvention and prevention. She explains how the Black Box Project works with families who have lost someone to suicide by borrowing digital devices, securely extracting non-public behavioral data, and helping researchers identify patterns that may reveal opportunities for earlier intervention. This episode explores the difference between the external persona and the internal persona, the role of peer support after suicide loss, and why so many survivors seek meaning by helping others. It is an eye-opening conversation about grief, technology, data science, and hope. If you've ever wondered whether loss can become action, or how postvention can become prevention, this is an episode you do not want to miss. In this episode: * Kim Burnett Bartlett's personal story of suicide loss * Why suicide grief is often so complicated * How the Black Box Project works * What digital devices may reveal about crisis and help-seeking * Why families choose to participate * The importance of peer support and post-traumatic growth * How postvention can help prevent future suicide deaths

How to Protect Your Mind in a Noisy World

Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org [http://www.halfasorrow.org] Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ [https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/] Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ [https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/] Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ [https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/] Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 [https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020] Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WIqMYwHt4eA [https://youtu.be/WIqMYwHt4eA] Episode Notes: In this episode, Dennis and Jessica unpack a very "2026" reality: people taking vacations just to sleep, and even using PTO to rest because life feels relentless. They explore what chronic stress and information overload do to our minds and bodies, why doomscrolling can quietly hijack mental health, and how small habits like choosing uplifting content, taking "field trips," and creating healthy boundaries can bring us back to ourselves. This conversation also circles back to why the work matters: suicide prevention and hope. Sometimes the impact isn't in the crowd, it's in the one person who hears something and reaches for help. What You'll Hear In This Episode * "Sleep vacations" and PTO used for rest: what it may signal * Burnout vs. healthy recovery and why guilt shows up around rest * Golden handcuffs: staying in a job that drains you * Why mental labor can be just as exhausting as physical labor * Social media algorithms, doomscrolling, and protecting your mind * Lent as a "reset": reducing phone use and sharing positive stories daily * The power of "the one": one listener, one life, one turning point * Simple practices: smile science, faith moments, and micro-breaks that help Quote Worth Keeping "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." – Helen Keller

From Grief to Growth: Finding Purpose in Pain

Links & Resources Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org [http://www.halfasorrow.org] Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ [https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/] Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ [https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/] Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ [https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/] Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 [https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020] Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WIqMYwHt4eA [https://youtu.be/WIqMYwHt4eA] Episode Notes: In this conversation, the Dennis and Jessica discuss the impact of weather forecasts on anxiety, the importance of coping mechanisms, and the long-term effects of grief. They explore personal growth through leadership roles and the connection between public health and mental health. The discussion emphasizes the value of community support and the healing power of humor, while also addressing the complexities of navigating grief and finding purpose in pain. Key Takeaways: * Weather forecasts can create unnecessary anxiety. * The 24-hour news cycle can exacerbate feelings of fear. * Coping mechanisms like music can help manage anxiety. * Healing from grief can lead to feelings of guilt. * Leadership roles can change one's perspective on life. * Public health is closely tied to mental health issues. * Community support is vital for those dealing with loss. * Personal growth often comes from overcoming trauma. * It's important to share stories of resilience. * Humor can be a powerful tool in healing.