Watch a special episode of “Ask Dr. Jill”

Research helps us understand what leads someone to suicide, and how we may effectively save more lives. Tune in to a special episode of “Ask Dr. Jill,” featuring AFSP’s Senior Vice President of Research, Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman with guest Dr. Madelyn Gould, an expert on suicide contagion and reporting and storytelling practices that safely drive the national conversation.

Honored with AFSP’s Lifetime Achievement Award as an outstanding researcher at AFSP’s 2023 Lifesavers Gala, Dr. Gould is an AFSP Scientific Advisor and a member of AFSP’s Scientific Council, and an endowed Professor of Epidemiology in Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Over the past four decades, she has contributed extensive research to deepen our understanding of youth mental health and suicide prevention, as well as how asking directly if someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts is the right thing to do when someone is in crisis. Her leading research on the effect of media coverage on suicide contagion has contributed to the adoption of global standards in safe news reporting. Dr. Gould provided expert guidance on AFSP’s Talk Away the Dark campaign film, which highlights common warning signs, and illustrates how someone can begin a caring conversation with someone in suicidal crisis.

Moderated by AFSP’s Director of Writing and Entertainment Outreach, Brett Wean, September’s episode of “Ask Dr. Jill” will explore the possible positive and negative effects of how the topic of suicide is handled in reporting and popular entertainment, as well as how individuals can have safe, productive conversations about this important topic.