Content Warning: This podcast discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicide bereavement. Some content may be distressing. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and seek support if needed.

Description: This episode examines the dominant models guiding suicide research and prevention, as well as what might be missing. While individual-level, risk-based frameworks have shaped much of the field, suicide rates have not declined significantly. Panellists explore how a strong focus on diagnosis and risk assessment can overshadow broader social, relational, cultural, and institutional factors. The episode calls for broadening the lens to include families, communities, and systems, as well as recognition that suicide prevention must reflect the complexity of real lives.

Moderated by:

Suzanne Bailey: Long-time social worker with Canada’s Department of National Defence and contributor to the Road to Mental Readiness program

Dr. Christine Genest: Associate Professor, Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Nursing

Guest Panellists:

Dr. Sharon Lawn: Professor, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University

Jonny Morris: CEO for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC division

Dr. Jitender Sareen: Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba

Relevant Resources:

· Open Door: Open Door: Improving the Wellbeing of Veterans, Public Safety Personnel, and their Families research initiative

· Ecosocial approach: Suicide in cultural context: An ecosocial approach.

· CMHA BC suicide prevention framework: Provincial Suicide Risk Reduction Framework

· Jennifer White podcast: Rethinking Suicide Prevention: An Interview on Critical Suicide Studies with Jennifer White

· Australia Royal Commission: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide—Final Report

· Moral Injury and suicide: Moral injury and suicidality among combat-wounded veterans: The moderating effects of social connectedness and self-compassion

· Community-based peer suicide prevention (Veterans): Veteran peer suicide prevention: A community‐based peer prevention model

· Narrative assessment to suicide: A Narrative Approach to Assess Suicide—Tell Me Your Story

· Zero Suicide (USA)