As part of our on-going commitment to promoting mental health by creating and amplifying content, WPSU has produced a free webinar, short and sharable videos, and supplemental resources related to suicide prevention and postvention in coordination with fellow public media station, TPT and their Facing Suicide initiative.
The Facing Suicide initiative explores the powerful stories of those impacted by suicide—one of America’s most urgent health crises—and journey to the front lines of research with scientists whose work is leading to better prevention and treatment. To learn more, visit www.tpt.org/facing-suicide.
Support for this project was provided by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
TPT’s award-winning documentary film Facing Suicide combines the poignant personal stories of people impacted by suicide with profiles of scientists at the forefront of research to reveal new insights into one of America’s most pressing mental health crises. The documentary shines a light on this difficult topic can destigmatize suicide while revealing that there is help as well as hope for those at risk and their loved ones.
If you’re concerned about someone’s mental health (or your own) there is hope. Talking about mental health and suicide is hard, but it’s critically important—it can even be lifesaving.
Watch and share our short videos designed for distribution across social media platforms. They highlight critical information about suicide prevention in under 60 seconds each, including what it means to be suicidal, the relationship between suicide and depression, theories, and risk factors. The short videos also address the danger of isolation, how to get help, what to expect when calling a crisis line, and more.
Download the printable PDF wallet card for some just-in-time advice for what to say and do when you’re struggling or worried about someone.
Broadcast and digital-first documentary films and community resources brought to you by the Well Beings campaign.
There is no “right” way to grieve. By sharing diverse representations of bereavement, Speaking Grief illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience. The goal of Speaking Grief is to start a national conversation on grief. We are making the documentary accessible to individuals, organizations, and businesses to host their own screenings and conversations.
Part of the documentary series Mysteries of Mental Illness, Decolonizing Mental Health is a companion short-form video series about dismantling the racism that underscores the mental healthcare industry.
A collection of videos and a discussion guide that is part of KET’s initiative on youth mental health and includes videos from the KET series, You Are Not Alone, which explores answers to depression, anxiety, toxic stress, and suicide through the lens of experts, educators, parents, and youth.
Kim Ruocco is the Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, better known as TAPS, talks about suicide rates among active duty and veteran populations, the comprehensive, peer-based program she’s spent a decade building for TAPS, and about how her own loss experience inspired this work.
Dr. Jason Doll is a veterinarian with a special interest in end-of-life and palliative care. Dr. Doll talked with WPSU’s Lindsey Whissel Fenton about the suicide crisis in veterinary medicine, the stressors that contribute to it, and about the organizations working to provide education and support.
Kevin Hines became one of the few people to survive a leap off the Golden Gate Bridge when he attempted suicide in 2000 at the age of 19. Now he’s an advocate for mental health issues and suicide prevention. We revisit a conversation Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson had with Hines in 2014.
If you are considering suicide, or if you or someone you know is in an emotional crisis, please call or text 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crises or emotional distress.
WPSU Penn State
238 Outreach Building
100 Innovation Boulevard
University Park PA 16802
814-865-3333
wpsu@psu.edu
