Black and white thinking can trick us into believing we only have a limited amount of options to solve our problems… which can be particularly harmful if one of those options is suicide.

This binary 'black and white' thinking pattern is completely normal – it happens – but there are things we can do to notice and navigate through it, to take our brains in another, more helpful direction!

Even better, we can support other people when they're stuck in this mindset.

Today, I’ll discuss:

-- what black-or-white thinking is and who is susceptible to it

-- how it can affect us, and how can it contribute to suicidality

-- the good side of black and white thinking

-- a simple technique for breaking through black and white thinking on your own

-- how to support someone else who is stuck in this thinking pattern

-- how we can find more solutions to our problems and ask other people for their input

-- the benefit of building a varied support system

DISCLAIMERS AND CONTENT WARNINGS

SUICIDE – I’ll be touching on thoughts and feelings of suicide, so please do not listen if you’re not in a great head space today. Suicide support organisations are listed below.

I am always open to improving the way I talk about any issues raised in the show, so please let me know if you have any feedback [email Alice at talk@darkcoffee.co.uk ]

COLLABORATORS

Solving Suicide is brought to you by Dark Coffee – development coaching to get your work and wellbeing working better together so you can feel like a badass in business.

Host: Alice Lyons from Dark Coffee

Music: ‘Solving Suicide’ by Steve Leggett 

Podcast editing: Steve Leggett

If you have any questions or would like to give us any feedback, you can email Alice at talk@darkcoffee.co.uk

To apply to be on the show, just fill in this form. 

SUICIDE SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS (UK)

Samaritans: Confidential suicide discussion and support. Free helpline available round the clock. Text - 116123. Call - 08457 909090 Email - jo@samaritans.org. Website - www.samaritans.org

Mind: Support and information for anyone suffering from a mental health problem. 0300 123 3393 Website - Mind.org.uk

Saneline: Practical information, crisis care and emotional support to people affected by mental health concerns. Helpline: 0845 767 8000, open daily from 6pm – 11pm.