AFSP Podcast Channel

In this special episode, we celebrate the work of two exceptional researchers being honored at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s  2026 Research Awards Dinner:Dr. Jane Pearson, Special Advisor to the Director for Suicide Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Holly Wilcox, Professor, Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Annual Research AwardTogether with host Dr. Jill, they look back at decades of suicide prevention research, including work on research ethics, youth suicide, and the role of firearms. They also reflect on the legacy of the 2001 U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention — which turns 25 this year — and how it compares to the 2024 update.2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604165To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

The LGBTQ+ community isn’t a monolith. It includes people from different generations, genders, races, classes, and experiences, each with their own relationship to mental health care. In this episode, host Vic Armstrong brings together three advocates from different organizations on the front lines of LGBTQ+ mental health to examine what the community needs most right now.Dr. Ronita Nath is Vice President of Research at The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ young people. Ernesto Finales is Director of Care Management at SAGE USA, an organization providing advocacy, support, and resources for LGBTQ+ elders. Kai Alvia Horton is Executive Director of Trans Lifeline, a trans-run nonprofit offering peer support, crisis hotline services, and resources for trans people.Together, they explore what younger and older generations can learn from each other, how research and advocacy intersect, and why keeping our shared humanity at the center of this work matters now more than ever.To learn more about The Trevor Project, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.orgTo learn more about Trans Lifeline visit https://translifeline.orgTo learn more about SAGE USA visit http://sageusa.orgTo learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Our first impression of mental health often comes from family and culture. But what if that impression doesn't work for you? How can you adopt a healthier relationship with mental health while maintaining a connection to your culture?In today's episode, host Vic Armstrong speaks with Sahaj Kohli — therapist, author, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest mental health and wellness organization for children of immigrants. Vic and Sahaj discuss the impact of growing up bicultural and the tension between Western individualism, which emphasizes self-reliance and personal autonomy, and Eastern collectivism, which prioritizes interdependence and collective responsibility. Sahaj also shares tips on how to manage your mental health without familial support, along with advice for therapists on how to be more culturally responsive toward their clients. Because regardless of your background or upbringing, you deserve care.To learn more about Brown Girl Therapy, visit https://sahajkaurkohli.com/brown-girl-therapy To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Although a traumatic brain injury can profoundly change someone's life, it doesn't have to be the end of the story. In this episode, Dr. Jill speaks with Dr. Lisa Brenner, a Board-Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist and leading expert on traumatic brain injury (TBI).In this episode, Dr. Jill and Dr. Brenner explain why people who've suffered TBIs can subsequently experience depression and suicidal ideation, along with the techniques and therapies that have been proven to help. They also share practical advice for those whose loved ones are coping with a TBI, as well as guidance for therapists working with TBI patients. The Brain Injury Association of America: https://biausa.orgVA’s TBI Treatment page: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/tbi/treatment.aspVA Brain Health Coordinating Center: https://www.research.va.gov/resources/bhccTBI Toolkit: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/tbi_toolkitConcussion & CTE Foundation: https://concussionandcte.orgTo learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Grief is a complex emotion, and for many people, it can often be accompanied by feelings like shame or guilt. But grief can also co-exist with positive emotions like joy — and that’s okay. Everyone grieves differently, and grief can look different from moment to moment. It can also be a motivator to take action.In today’s episode of Strong Talk, passionate mental health advocateApril Simpkins opens up to host Vic Armstrong about losing her daughter, former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, to suicide. April shares her difficult and inspiring journey through loss, which included shame, guilt, and even reclaiming experiences of joy along the way. She also discusses turning her pain into purpose by publishing her late daughter’s posthumous memoir framed with her own perspective as a mother, founding the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, and becoming the CEO of Paragon Strategy Partners, an HR consulting firm with a focus on mental well-being in the workplace.Check out April Simpkins and Cheslie C. Kryst’s book By the Time You Read This here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/By-the-Time-You-Read-This/April-Simpkins/9781637633007To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Mental health conversations are becoming more common in the Black community, but systemic barriers still limit access to care.In this Black History Month episode, host Vic Armstrong speaks with Shahem McLaurin — a Black, genderqueer, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and influencer — about the root causes of mental health disparities, and how a strong community can solve them. Shahem also shares their journey through graduate school, where they confronted the inequities baked into social work, and turned an insult into a brand: Dr. Durag.To learn more about Shahem, visit https://www.5hahem.comTo learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

When parents and children are raised in different cultures, they often have very different relationships with mental health—a generational gap that can make communication and understanding difficult. In this episode, host Vic Armstrong speaks with three members of UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative, an organization dedicated to bridging these divides in AAPI communities.Dr. Lily Chen is a first-generation Chinese immigrant, public health nurse, and mother of five who founded UCA WAVES based on the mental health struggles she experienced and observed in her community.Dr. Jennifer Tu is a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at UCLA and secretary of the UCA WAVES board. Her passion for mental health advocacy was sparked by the loss of a friend to suicide during college.Naialie Lor is a pre-nursing student at UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in medical anthropology and a former summer intern at UCA WAVES. She brings the perspective of second-generation AAPI youth navigating cultural expectations and generational differences.In this roundtable discussion, they share their own experiences, explore the unique mental health challenges facing AAPI communities, and discuss how UCA WAVES is using both data and storytelling to solve themTo learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ll notice more and more mental health professionals sharing advice. And while much of it is helpful, it raises an important question: where’s the line between content and care? Today, Vic sits down with Shani Tran, a licensed professional clinical counselor, author, and content creator, to explore this phenomenon. In their conversation, Shani shares how she started posting on social media, the significant boundaries between her real and online self, and why none of the mental health content on social media counts as therapy.Check out The Shani Project at: https://www.theshaniproject.comTo learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Do you know how many teenagers use AI chatbots for companionship? It’s more than you think. Today, Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media, tells us about his research and why his organization rates the use of chatbots by teens as "unacceptably risky,” in part due to cases that have led to suicide. He also shares practical advice for parents who want their kids to maintain a healthy relationship with AI chatbots.Check out Common Sense Media’s most recent risk assessment on AI chatbots here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ai-chatbots-for-mental-health-supportTo learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

We’ve all heard the saying: “men don’t cry.” In today's Elevating Voices roundtable, we hear from three men who prove that being vulnerable and showing emotion is not only acceptable, but healthy.Dan Egan, who lost his father to suicide, sits on AFSP’s National Loss & Healing Council; Anthony Gaddy, a passionate guitar player, is the President and CEO of the Upstate New York Black Chamber of Commerce; and Eh Doji Kyi is a recent college graduate who encourages other male students to share their feelings. Each of these men come from different backgrounds and generations, but they share a safe space called Brotherhood United, where they can open up, ask for help and shed some tears with other men. It sounds simple, but as you’ll hear, the results are transformative.To learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

A few years ago, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman learned that a growing number of young, Black people were dying by suicide. To learn more, she and the Congressional Black Caucus empowered a working group of experts to publish a landmark report titled “Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America.” Today, we discuss its findings and recommendations for supporting young Black people’s mental health. You can read the report at https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/suicidetaskforceTo learn more about AFSP, visit https://afsp.orgThe podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

When Dr. Jill started researching suicide 40 years ago, the consensus in the scientific community was that suicide could not be prevented. Now we know that this is false. In this episode, Dr. Jill and AFSP Senior Manager of Research and Dissemination Chris Munden discuss some of the research that has shown suicide may be prevented, at least sometimes, and they also share some of the practical methods that may help someone in a crisis.Check out Chris’ TikToks at tiktok.com/@afspnationalIf you have a question you’d like to hear discussed on the show, please submit it here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2wy8RwP5bwy2FG5KVRTYYtdtiucvtBCX47XvuWM0OG9Svhg/viewformTo learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Most of the mental health care provided in the United States is in English. Yet many people in the US don’t speak English fluently. So, what happens when they need help? That’s the problem our guest, Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, has been solving since he created Georgia’s first Spanish-speaking mental health clinic back in 1999. But it’s not just about language. As Dr. Mancini explains, if you want mental health care to work in a specific community, you can’t just translate it word for word. You also have to properly adapt it to that community’s culture. Check out Dr. Mancini’s website at www.eldoctormancini.comTo learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, for a conversation with Founder and Executive Director of Wellness Action Recovery, Inc., Fonda Bryant. In this episode of Strong Talk podcast, Vic talks with Fonda about her history with suicidality, and how lived experience has informed her suicide prevention advocacy and education efforts.Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity, diversity, and family as it relates to mental health and addictions. We started this podcast because we believe that we are at a pivotal point, as it pertains to access to mental health services for historically marginalized communities. We wanted to create a space, not only to talk about challenges, but to explore and to create space for solutions.

In the latest episode of Strong Talk podcast, AFSP Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, talks with AFSP Minnesota Chapter volunteer Ray Stenglein about mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. In 2016, Ray lost his 16-year-old daughter Annika to suicide. In his conversation with Vic, Ray shares how he has transformed his tragic loss into lifesaving advocacy, especially for the construction industry in which he has worked for 40 years.

The podcast is now in session! Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, as he speaks with Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren about her role as the pioneer of America’s first Mental Health Court in 1977, creating a human rights model dedicated to the decriminalization of persons living with mental illness. Throughout the discussion, Vic and Justice Wren – who serves as the presiding County Court Judge of the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida, and is a Judicial Representative for the Executive Committee of The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention – will discuss her motivation for creating a mental health court, its impact and how the initiative of mental health courts have grown, and their role in a national strategy for suicide prevention. 

In this episode of the Strong Talk, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement Victor (Vic) Armstrong, MSW, speaks with Pastor Dr. François Tchidjé about their shared experience in a unique suicide prevention training conducted in Africa by AFSP and Soul Shop for Black Churches.In March of 2022, AFSP partnered with Soul Shop Movement to convene a group of mental health experts with expertise in suicide prevention and connection to the Black and African American faith-based community. The group encompassed lived experience, as well as research, policy, and pastoral expertise. The result was the creation of Soul Shop for Black Churches, an eight-hour curriculum that teaches faith leaders in the Black community how to minister to congregants who may be experiencing suicidal desperation. Since its inception, SSFBC has trained faith leaders across America, including a training in Asheville, North Carolina, in October of 2023, which was attended by Dr. François Tchidjé, who traveled from Cameroon, Africa, to participate.Returning to Africa, Dr. Tchidjé began conducting trainings on his own, but recognized the need for additional trainers, whom he was not certified to train. In response, AFSP’s Vic Armstrong, along with Soul Shop CEO Michelle Snyder, joined Dr. Tchidje in Cameroon, where they spent six days training 92 faith leaders in suicide prevention.In this episode, host Vic Armstrong talks with Dr. Tchidjé about his motivation for traveling to America, the impact of his suicide prevention work utilizing his training with AFSP and Soul Shop and how it relates to the “African experience,” and their shared experience conducting the training in Cameroon.

As the first Asian American male to anchor a daily, national cable news show (at CNN Worldwide), Richard Lui knows what it’s like to achieve great success while occupying space in a complex cultural environment. In this episode of Strong Talk, Vic talks with MSNBC / NBC News journalist Richard Lui, author of Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness, about topics including:the challenges of growing up Asian in Americathe experience of being bullied as a young Asian teenthe mental and emotional impact of today’s hate incidents against Asian Americanscaring for one’s mental health in the face of microaggressionsinheriting a family legacy of integration in coming to the U.S. the psychological challenges involved in caring for a parent with Alzheimer’spromoting mental health and suicide prevention advocacy for the AANHPI community We hope you’ll join us.

We all know him as Leon, the outspoken and hilarious character on Curb Your Enthusiasm, his appearances in the Barbershop and Spiderman film series, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and as a wildly talented comedian. But J.B. Smoove also has a lot to say about mental health. In this two-part episode of the Strong Talk podcast hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement, Vic Armstrong, this big-hearted entertainer shares his experiences of:Finding himself on stage – and finding himself in real lifeDealing with disappointment Losing people to suicide, and how family and friends can come together after a lossOur culture’s evolving perception of mental health The unfair pressure on Black men to keep their feelings inside The challenge of having to put on a happy face while dealing with something difficult Strategies for healthily managing one’s mental health We hope you’ll join us for this enlightening conversation with this beloved – and insightful – entertainer.

We all know him as Leon, the outspoken and hilarious character on Curb Your Enthusiasm, his appearances in the Barbershop and Spiderman film series, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and as a wildly talented comedian. But J.B. Smoove also has a lot to say about mental health. In this two-part episode of the Strong Talk podcast hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement, Vic Armstrong, this big-hearted entertainer shares his experiences of:Finding himself on stage – and finding himself in real lifeDealing with disappointment Losing people to suicide, and how family and friends can come together after a lossOur culture’s evolving perception of mental health The unfair pressure on Black men to keep their feelings inside The challenge of having to put on a happy face while dealing with something difficult Strategies for healthily managing one’s mental health We hope you’ll join us for this enlightening conversation with this beloved – and insightful – entertainer.

In this episode, in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month, Vic and his guest Keon Lewis discuss why men are often unwilling to talk about mental health, the need to create more safe spaces to address men’s mental health concerns, and the unique challenges faced by men of color.About Our Guest: Keon Lewis first became aware of the need for suicide prevention and support for those affected when, as a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he learned of college friends who had lost family and close friends to suicide. He was struck by how the stigma many still felt around the subject made it hard to know how to have necessary conversations around the experience — and how he and his friends were unaware of how to access any support resources on campus.

In this episode, Vic and his guest, Pata Suyemoto, discuss her lived experience and the unique challenges in seeking mental health care for Asian Americans and how it all motivated her to become a nationally recognized DEI expert.  

In this episode Vic and his guest, Keris Myrick, discuss her journey as she has utilized her lived mental health experience to propel her to a career as an advocate and change agent in the field of mental health.

In this episode of Strong Talk, Vic and his guest, Tia Dole, discuss her role as Chief 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Officer with Vibrant Emotional Health. You’ll hear about the successes and challenges of 988 and what it could mean in the life of someone you care about.

In this episode Vic and his guest Akemie Jones discuss the role of working in a crisis receiving center, the importance of creating a trauma informed culture and incorporating the voice of lived experience in day to day operations.

In this episode, Vic and his guest, Philip Cooper discuss Philip’s journey through addiction, incarceration, and reinvention and how this influenced him to find his purpose in helping other men re-enter society after incarceration.Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

In this episode, Vic and his guest, Dr. Arielle Sheftall, discuss the unique mental health challenges in Black and brown communities and what the data is telling us about research needs that address the nuances of race, culture, and ethnicity, particularly among young people of color. Arielle H. Sheftall, PhD is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry in Rochester, New York. She is also the Director of Academic Affairs for the Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Equity (DICE) Board for the department. 

In this episode, Vic and his guests, Kevin and Margaret Hines, discuss the challenges and rewards of being a partner or caretaker of someone living with mental health challenges and the importance of caregivers being attentive to their own mental well-being. Kevin and Margaret will also share how they have maintained a strong and supportive marriage relationship while balancing personal challenges with being advocates for others.

In this episode Vic talks with Rawle Andrews, Jr., Esq., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, about new initiatives in improving access to care and addressing workforce issues in mental health.Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

In recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode Vic and his guest, Tonja Myles, discuss the unique challenges and opportunities experienced within the Black community in accessing culturally relevant mental health resources.Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

In this episode Vic and his guest, Angela Weeks, discuss the unique challenges for those who identify as LGBTQ+ including accessing culturally appropriate mental health services.Angela Weeks is the Project Director of the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity.  Find more about their resources at https://lgbtqequity.org/

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, in this episode Vic and his guest, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discuss the state of mental health in America including strategies for creating more equitable access to care.Sign up for updates at https://riinternational.com/signup/

In this episode Vic Armstrong and his guest Douglas M Reed discuss the unique challenges of Black men as it pertains to mental health, and the opportunities for decreasing the stigma associated with mental health among Black men.

In this episode, in recognition of Minority Health month, Vic Armstrong and his guest, Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities in providing effective mental health care in Black and Brown communities.

Shelby Rowe joins Vic Armstrong in Episode 3 of Strong Talk. In this episode, Vic and Shelby discuss her journey as a suicide attempt survivor, her work with the Suicide Prevention Research Center and how her heritage as an indigenous woman has impacted her work in the suicide prevention field.

Vic sits down with former NFL player Doug Middleton to discuss the life changing event that led him to becoming a suicide prevention advocate, including how he uses his history as a professional athlete to reach young people and get them to open up about their challenges and their mental health struggles.

Vic Armstrong sits down with David Covington, CEO and President of RI International, to discuss intersectionality, and the importance of equity in crisis services. Where we were, where we are, and where we're headed.