Leaving The Valley
72 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Suicide isn’t often a conversation you want to have with your family, but with suicide on the rise, it’s a conversation you probably should be having. Join father and daughter team, Dr. Sam Buser and Kimi Buser-Clancy as they talk about that thing we all avoid discussing, suicide. Dr. Sam Buser is a psychologist and expert in the field of suicide and its treatment. Kimi Buser-Clancy is an actor, writer, and optimist who helps unpack this difficult subject. With hope, honesty, and humor we’ll explore what more people need to know about suicide.
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Episodes
Ep. 020: Talking Teen Mental Health, Part II- Facing the Suicide of Peers
December 17, 2020 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIn Part II of our conversation with recent high school graduate and youth mental health advocate, Natalie Alyssa Sanchez, we explore how and when she first learned about suicide. Natalie opens up about a friend of hers who practiced self-harm in middle school and later admitted that he was suicidal. We explore how to help a peer in danger, the pressure to keep their “secret,” and attention seeking behavior.
Ep. 019 : Talking Teen Mental Health, Part I: COVID-19
December 03, 2020 08:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBIn this special episode, we invite a guest onto our show to help us better understand the mental health needs of teens today. Our guest, Natalie Alyssa Sanchez, recent high school graduate and teenage mental health advocate, opens up about the pressures of academic life and the challenges of navigating complex friendships. She also shares her experience of how COVID-19 has affected her and her peers and positive and negative coping strategies.
Ep. 018 : What Parents Should Know About Suicide, Part III- Info for Parents of Young Adults
November 19, 2020 08:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBIn the conclusion of our three part series on youth suicide, we share info specific to the mental health needs of young adults. As kids head off to college or move out of the house, there are often different mental health challenges that can arise. While some young adults settle into their new independence, others have a much harder time adjusting, especially if they have a diagnosed mental illness or have needed extra care and attention to thrive. We also go over questions from our audien...
Ep. 017 : What Parents Should Know About Suicide Part II: How Do You Know If Your Child Is Suicidal?
November 05, 2020 08:00 - 34 minutes - 31.1 MBIn Part II of our series, we continue our conversation about what parents should know about youth suicide. In this episode we explore how to tell if your child is suicidal. Many, many parents do not realize until it is too late that even young children can be vulnerable to suicide. There are many ways to help a young person, but it starts by not dismissing the feeling that your child could be in danger. If they’ve been through a triggering event and their behavior starts changing, such as t...
Ep. 016 : What Parents Should Know About Suicide Part I: Why Kids Become Suicidal
October 15, 2020 07:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBYoung people are amongst the most vulnerable to thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the number two leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. However, parents often fail to recognize the danger their children may be in until it is too late. In this episode, we’ll explore what might cause a young person to become suicidal. We’ll discuss how violence and sadness are pretty typical experiences for young people. We’ll also look at how the internet, social media, and cyberbullying may add to the s...
Ep. 015 : Myth BUSTED: Don’t Ask “Are You Suicidal?”
October 01, 2020 07:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBOne of the most common misconceptions we hear about suicide is that you shouldn't ask about it. Many people fear that asking someone in distress if they have thought about killing themselves will plant the idea in that person’s head. The truth is that asking is a GOOD idea! It offers an often lifesaving connection to someone who feels they have run out of options, but how you ask and how you react matters.
Ep. 014 : Substance Abuse and Suicide
September 17, 2020 07:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBCan substance abuse really increase the risk for suicide? Yes. When under the influence of drugs or alcohol, our decision making is impaired, and people are not known for their great judgement when drunk or high. Often substance abuse can increase feelings of depression which may increase suicidal thoughts. Additionally, those who have struggled with giving up substance use may feel like it is hopeless or that they are a burden. These feelings are a part of the decent into “The Valley of Sui...
Ep. 013: PTSD and Suicide, Part II- Why Are They Linked?
September 03, 2020 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBIn Part II of our series on PTSD and its relationship to suicide we’ll explore why those who suffer from PTSD are at risk of death by suicide. Additionally, we’ll cover important info for groups more vulnerable to thoughts of suicide and the critically important progress that has been made in treating PTSD and ending its symptoms.
Ep. 012: PTSD and Suicide, Part I - What Is PTSD?
August 20, 2020 07:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MBPTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects more than just combat vets. For example, first responders report levels of PTSD that are about equal to those of combat vets. Any traumatic event can potentially trigger PTSD, like violence, rape, car accidents, or even natural disasters. Let’s discuss what PTSD really is, who can get it, and how. What does trauma do to the brain and what are symptoms of PTSD? Join us for part one of this conversation.
Ep. 011 : Depression and Suicide
August 06, 2020 07:00 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBDepression is a word that gets tossed around so lightly that sometimes we forget what it really means or the danger it poses. We’re providing a crash course in depression and its symptoms. Does it look like crying a lot? What about anxiety or even anger? Can it look different from men to women? Do these things make you more vulnerable to suicide? Why?
Ep. 010: Myth- Only "Crazy" People Think About Suicide
July 16, 2020 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBWe’ve started a new, on-going segment on “Myths About Suicide” because there are a lot of them out there and they are just not helpful. If we really want to get serious about suicide prevention, we need to look at the way we talk about and perpetuate ideas about suicide. One incredibly common myth is that only “crazy” people think about suicide. This type of thinking can lead us to dismiss the warning signs that people often demonstrate when something has gone wrong.
Ep. 010: Myth BUSTED- Only "Crazy" People Think About Suicide
July 16, 2020 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MBWe’ve started a new, on-going segment on “Myths About Suicide” because there are a lot of them out there and they are just not helpful. If we really want to get serious about suicide prevention, we need to look at the way we talk about and perpetuate ideas about suicide. One incredibly common myth is that only “crazy” people think about suicide. This type of thinking can lead us to dismiss the warning signs that people often demonstrate when something has gone wrong.
Ep. 009 : Is There a "Cure" for Suicide?
July 02, 2020 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBWouldn’t it be great if there was a magic pill we could take that would instantly make us feel better? There isn’t, but there are various ways we can deal with depression, anxiety, isolation, and feelings of being a burden that may help us feel better. With the right tools and work on ourselves we may be able to leave troublesome thoughts behind and know what to do if they ever pop up again.
Ep. 008 : Hospitalization for Suicide
June 18, 2020 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBA person who is contemplating suicide needs care, connection, and oversight. Sometimes this is more than can be provided within the home, and that's where hospitalization comes into play. However, many of us have outdated ideas of what being hospitalized might look like--we’re imagining people in white coats, keeping you against your will. The reality is very different. Let’s talk about what it’s actually like to be hospitalized. What’s the difference between voluntary and involuntary hospit...
Ep. 007 : How to Find a Therapist for Thoughts of Suicide
June 04, 2020 07:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBNot every therapist is trained on how to help someone with suicidal thoughts. Some lack experience in how to intervene with thoughts of suicide, and some may feel overwhelmed with fear that a patient's life may be in danger. If you’re further down “The Ramp,” you need to be working with someone who is an expert on suicide prevention. Unfortunately, most people are in denial about how dangerous thoughts of suicide are. We’ll cover how to find the right therapist, asking for referrals, confide...
Ep. 006 : Antidepressants and Suicidal Thoughts
May 21, 2020 07:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBIs there a pill you can take that will make your thoughts of suicide disappear? No. But are there medications that can help? Maybe. We’ll discuss if someone with thoughts of suicide should be on a drug, like an antidepressant, what the pros and cons are, what the benefits might be, and where to get psychiatric medicines.
Ep. 005 : What Does Treatment fo Suicide Look Like?
May 07, 2020 07:00 - 37 minutes - 35.1 MBThere’s a connection between what treatment for suicide looks like and how far down “the ramp” you are. We’ll discuss the variety of options out there including counseling, medications, and hospitalization. We’ll also discuss what should be on a suicide safety plan and cover specific information for groups that are more vulnerable to thoughts of suicide.
Ep. 004 : Suicide and Global Crisis
April 16, 2020 07:00 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBCOVID-19 and the economic global crisis will likely lead to a rise in suicide attempts. Historically, suicide has increased during times of upheaval caused by economic instability or health epidemics. Kimi and Sam discuss how past historical crises can inform our understanding of COVID-19 and the current economic fallout, offer strategies to prepare us for the mental health challenges ahead, and provide targeted information for those groups most likely to become suicidal.
Ep. 003 : COVID-19 and Good Mental Health (Especially if You Are Suicidal)
April 02, 2020 07:10 - 42 minutes - 39.4 MBCOVID-19 has turned our world upside down. It’s okay to feel anxious, scared, or overwhelmed right now. Kimi and Sam talk about ways to manage during this hardship by acknowledging the reality, working on acceptance, focusing on the positive, and suggesting strategies for coping with the down days.
Ep. 002 : What to Do if Someone You Care About Is Suicidal
April 02, 2020 07:05 - 36 minutes - 34.2 MBMost people who have thoughts of suicide mention it to at least one person. This is our chance to intervene, but most of us don’t know what to say or are sometimes too afraid to ask the right questions. We’ll walk you through ways to encourage your loved one to reach out for help and give tips to connect you to the relevant resources.
Ep : 001 What to Do if YOU Are Suicidal
April 02, 2020 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBWhether you are in absolute crisis mode, having some dark thoughts, or know somebody who is in need of help, Kimi and Sam explain the slide down “The Ramp” into the "Valley of Suicide." There’s useful info for people ranging from those who find themselves thinking “sometimes I wish I wouldn’t wake up” to those who are all the way to making an active plan. If you’ve had thoughts of suicide, take them seriously. Ask for help. We discuss where, how, and when it’s time to get help and even ideas...
Leaving The Valley
March 13, 2020 19:21 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MBWhat if we all knew a little more about suicide? What if it weren’t so hard to just talk about it? Join Kimi Buser-Clancy, an actor, writer, and optimist, and her dad, Dr. Sam Buser, a psychologist and expert on suicide and its treatment, as they try to unpack the difficult subject of what YOU should know about suicide in a conversational format that is informative, warm, and sometimes even humorous.