Breaking the Stigma: Dr. Shahrzad Jalali on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness

Trauma expert Dr. Shahrzad Jalali, a licensed clinical psychologist, offered timely and compassionate insight into Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day. She explained that while our minds may move on, our nervous systems often don’t. Traumatic experiences get stored in the body and can resurface around anniversaries or during times of heightened stress, sometimes triggering despair or suicidal thoughts.  Some highlights that Dr. Jalali spoke about included:The connection between unresolved trauma and suicide riskWhy certain dates, seasons, or life transitions can resurface buried emotionsPractical steps to recognize when someone is emotionally dysregulated versus at riskHow families and communities can offer support before a crisis point is reachedWe also touched upon Bullying Prevention Month, which takes place in October, and we discussed how schools are not doing enough to protect our kids from being bullied. Know that you are not alone. There is always someone there to listen. If you wish to speak with anonymity, please call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.