SpyTalk
Going Mental
May 19, 2022
Cult expert Steven Hassan and ex-CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos discuss deprogramming racist murderers and a new mobile app to reduce suicides among counterterrorism veterans. Topics include online radicalization, personal involvement in a moon cult, impact of technology on young people, breaking free from cults and conspiracy theories, belief in replacement theory, oversight of CIA medical services, and mental health and reporting on news.
54:15
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Quick takeaways
- Veterans and military officers experiencing mental health issues face a significant stigma, leading to a high suicide rate of 22 per day.
- Individuals vulnerable to radicalization, including those on the autism spectrum, can be drawn into online communities that provide a sense of belonging and affirmation, perpetuating extremist beliefs.
Deep dives
Addressing the Alarming Rate of Suicides Among Counterterrorism Veterans
Former top CIA officer Mark Pauli Maropoulos discusses the high rate of suicides among counterterrorism veterans, highlighting the stigma associated with seeking mental health help. Veterans and military officers are taking their lives at a staggering rate of 22 per day, often due to the stigma surrounding mental health. Although help is available, nearly half of those in need do not seek it due to this stigma. Initiatives like Sound Off, an app that provides anonymous mental health care for veterans, aim to provide accessible and anonymous support for those in need.
