Voices For Suicide Prevention Scott Light

Data doesn't lie.  Agriculture is Ohio's biggest industry.  $124 BILLION-plus in economic output every year.  But there's another number on which we want to focus too; according to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.  In Ohio, from a 2022 survey of farmers here, 1 in 10 had an at-risk score on a depression screening tool which indicated they had a higher risk of experiencing depression.   It's believed that 1 in 10 figure is under-reported too.   Here to talk about it is Ohio's Agriculture Director, Brian Baldridge, a farmer himself and someone who absolutely knows firsthand the myriad stressors facing the agriculture industry.   Among many tools and resources, his department has a dedicated campaign called 'Got Your Back' which OSPF is proud to be part of.   Director Baldridge also discusses how farmers and agriculture producers of this generation and the next can continue to make their voices heard for better mental health and suicide prevention.  After all, these are our family, friends and neighbors who put food on our tables every single day;  let's support them both professionally and personally!   

March is Women's History Month and for a long time in history, women have heard things like this when it comes to pregnancy, parenthood and postpartum depression:  'Isn't being pregnant just the best?'    'It's just the baby blues, it'll go away on its own.'    'Postpartum depression will likely lead to bad parenting.'    Fact: PPD is a mental health condition, and no mother is weak or a poor parent if they experience it.   It's actually just the opposite.   Moms (and dads) who speak up and share their experiences break stigmas, help other parents and ultimately help babies, families and drive better health outcomes.   We're doing just that with OSPF's Associate Director, Molly Mottram, who shares her real, unvarnished stories about difficult pregnancies, postpartum depression and finding her strength in both.    Plus, as always, we share resources where you or someone you know, or love can get help.

Just about every time Jordyn Peaks speaks out about her suicide attempt, she breaks stigmas, which is why we're so grateful she shared her story with us and with you for our February episode.    She's heard this in one form or another many times, 'You're on TV, you're smart, beautiful and so driven, how could you have a suicide scare?'    Truth is, anyone can.   Jordyn talks openly about her journey:  the darkness, the tears and the lights that finally shone through and led the way for her to achieve so much.  Those lights are many:  her family, friends and faith just to name a few.   Speaking of, Jordyn's mother, Alicia, joins the episode to share her perspective from a parent's point of view.    We're also honored to have such two powerful guests to reflect on February's designation as Black History Month.  

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is so proud to kick off another year of 'Voices for Suicide Prevention' to break stigmas, break barriers and save lives.  We're doing it in grand fashion too with new co-host, Rachel Tilson, OSPF's Director of Development.  Rachel has a personal and powerful story to tell, and you'll hear it in this episode.   Our guest this month is the Director of Recovery Ohio, Aimee Shadwick, who has a powerful story to share as well. She's been on the front lines of mental health and addiction services advocacy for decades at local, regional and state levels.   The director also talks candidly about finding even deeper inspiration for this work from a close family member who experienced addiction.  Plus, find out what Ohio is doing to recruit and retain professionals to these fields so when our friends, family members and neighbors are in need, they can get help.    

Legendary news anchor Ron Burgundy, Parks and Rec's Ron Swanson and Man Therapy's Dr. Rich Mahogany.   What's that?   Dr. Mahogany not quite ringing a bell?   Well, it's time you met him and in this episode you will!   What do these manly men have in common besides awesome mustaches?    They're all characters meant to make us both laugh and look in the mirror.    Dr. Mahogany is actually the main character for a very real, effective (and yes, funny) mental health campaign called Man Therapy.   In this episode, you'll hear from one of its driving creative forces and plus get to know OSPF's Program Director, Austin Lucas.   Man Therapy has some levity to it but its core message is straight-up serious business;  men die by suicide more than women and are often un-prepared or worse, shunned if they come forward with a mental health challenge.     Join us in changing this dynamic by one podcast, one person, and even one laugh at a time.

Have you ever worn a cowboy hat or boots?   Ever ordered barbeque at a restaurant or hickory smoked some ribs 'low and slow' on your own?  Cowboy hats didn't originate in Texas and barbeque didn't come from the South.   All of these things and so many more originated from Latin, Spanish and Hispanic cultures in other countries.   We celebrate that in today's episode with a powerful and poignant leader who's a proud Columbian American.  Michelle Vargas is Director of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition at Mental Health America of Ohio.  We lift up this month for other vital reasons as too many Hispanic Ohioans and Americans don't have access to mental health services and there's a disproportionate number of young Hispanics, especially, reporting suicidal ideation and attempts.   Michelle also discusses different stigmas and stereotypical challenges these cultures face plus how to address these challenges through empathy, awareness and kindness.