Giving Voice to Depression How to Talk About Suicidal Thoughts: A More Compassionate Mental Health Question
Join us as we explore how shifting the question from “Are you suicidal?” to “Do you find yourself thinking of death as a welcome relief?” can open life-saving conversations. Terry shares her powerful personal story, and we hear how one changed question led to a breakthrough moment on a crisis line.
Primary Topics Covered:
- The limitations of traditional suicide assessment questions
- A more insightful and compassionate way to ask about suicidal ideation
- Terry’s personal mental health journey and published article on The Mighty
- How language impacts openness in mental health conversations
- The role of hidden depression in masking suffering
- Reframing the suicide question to encourage honesty
- Real listener feedback and its ripple effect
- The power of storytelling and validation for mental health awareness
- Ways professionals and loved ones can ask more meaningful questions
- How honest conversation can prevent isolation and promote healing
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Welcome to Season Two
00:52 Terry’s article “Ask a Different Question” and The Mighty feature
01:51 Full reading of the article: “Advice from Behind the Mask”
06:46 Why asking “Do you find death a relief?” opens deeper conversation
07:40 Discussing emotional pain vs clinical suicide risk
08:09 How this question resonates more personally and less judgmentally
08:38 Michael Phelps example: asking how much someone is hurting
09:30 Listener and professional responses to the article
10:26 How a crisis line worker changed their approach based on the article
10:39 Looking ahead to more ripple effects and honest conversations
11:04 Podcast sign-off and encouragement to speak up and listen up
Link to Article: https://themighty.com/2017/06/the-important-question-to-ask-if-you-feel-suicidal/
Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/