Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan Hold On: Poetic and Art-Based Lifelines for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Diane Kaufman, MD
Nov 10, 2025
Dr. Diane Kaufman, a retired child psychiatrist, poet, and suicide attempt survivor, shares her profound journey toward suicide prevention. She discusses the power of art through her Hold On Campaign, aimed at educating and healing. Dr. Kaufman highlights the risks of social media on mental health and explains how to approach someone in distress. She emphasizes the importance of small acts of connection and introduces the 988 Crisis Lifeline for immediate support. With a focus on empathy, she encourages listeners to hold on and seek help.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Journey Fueling Her Work
- Dr. Diane Kaufman survived a serious suicide attempt in medical school and was later diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder.
- Her personal trauma and family psychiatric history motivated her use of arts for healing and suicide prevention.
Digital Influence Intensifies Risk
- Social media hijacks attention and erodes embodied co-regulation between people.
- Algorithms and AI can escalate self-harm content and even suggest harmful methods.
Bipolar II Often Goes Unrecognized
- Bipolar II features hypomania and depression, making diagnosis tricky because hypomania can feel productive.
- Misdiagnosis or isolated antidepressant use can trigger hypomania or mania.
