For the Media

As an international authority on the aftermath of suicide with 20+ years of professional experience—and the longtime survivor of my own brother’s suicide—I offer perspective and information through an expert voice, to complement what might be elicited from family members, friends, and/or first responders. I also provide guidance on best practices for safely reporting on or writing about suicide.

I can address:

How/why suicide occurs, including in individuals who were “the last one you’d expect”
The relationship between suicide and serious life stressors, such as unemployment, bullying, divorce, or loneliness
The natural fears and questions following the suicide of a young person, including the possibility of contagion
What to expect in the aftermath of suicide (what’s “normal” and when to worry)
The impact of suicide on a school community, faith community, or workplace

Printable Bio

SELECT APPEARANCES

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Interview

Select Appearances

Podcasts

Nina Del Rio's Get Connected

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools

Five Things Every Funeral Director Should Know About Suicide

Food for Thought on Yom Kippur

Grief After Suicide: The Impact on Families

Have You Lost Someone to Suicide?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: You Matter youth blog interview

Suicide’s Stigma

Survivor Narratives: Stories of Hope and Healing

What a Year It’s Been: Coping After Suicide

Best practices for safely reporting on or writing about suicide

Familiarize yourself with the National Consensus Recommendations for Safe and Effective Reporting on Suicide. Following these evidence-based recommendations can help reduce the risk of suicide contagion.

Include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (for calling and texting) in all reporting.
Make clear that suicide is very complicated and is almost always caused by a complex mix of factors, not just by a single event or circumstance. In most cases, these factors include a serious underlying mental health condition such as depression, which can cause intense emotional suffering, but which may not have been obvious from the outside.
Include that it is safe to ask someone if they may be thinking about suicide. It is a myth that asking a direct question about suicidality can somehow increase risk. The best way to ask: “I’m concerned about your safety. Have you been thinking about death or dying?”