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/suicidetas...

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/@afspnational If yo...

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 al...

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, diversit...

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...

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 ...

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 Bla...

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...

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...

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...

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 w...

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. 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 ...

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. 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 margi...

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. 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 ...

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. 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 hi...

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/ 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 poin...

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 th...

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. Strong Talk is a podcast dedicated to the discussion of equity,...

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/ 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, a...

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/ 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 ar...