Exploring Male Suicide: Risks and Prevention w/ Dr. Susanna Bennett (#64)

This episode is definitely in my top 3 most meaningful conversations in the short history of KMKL.  Few things leave an imprint more powerfully than speaking to someone with such a profound knowledge on a subject as well as a passion and dedication to help other. Dr. Bennett is one of those people.    If you have been affected by suicide or love someone who has, you know the deep treadmarks of pain that experience of excruciating grief can leave on those left behind.   What has come to light more publicly in recent years is the dramatic difference in the rate of suicide between genders.  The range can be between 3 and 7 to 1 - men to women.  Yet sadly, this news and the length of time it has been happening is leading some experts and researchers to acknowledge how much men are suffering, and how it appears much of society has decided to ignore their pain and deaths of despair as a price we are collectively willing to pay.   Enter Dr. Susanna Bennett and the Suicidal Research Lab at the University of Glasgow.  Through their research, they have discovered the deep pain and isolation that many men experience, as well as the barriers they face in seeking help both internally and externally. Susie has done studies synthesizing twenty years of male suicide research, explored help-seeking barriers for men, childhood challenges and developed an agenda of priorities for male suicide research.  Her work has been supported by thousands of men worldwide sharing their insights and experiences. Our conversation explores the 3D risk model which includes denial, disconnection, and dysregulation in the psychological domains of emotions, thoughts and feelings of self, and connections with others. Susie highlights the role of love and compassion in addressing male pain in an attempt to avoid escalating emotional factors that can lead to suicidial ideation. I hope more people with soon be having conversations like this, staying curious about the boys and men in their lives and how they can ensure they feel accepted and loved. 

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