‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a classic Christmas film, with some surprisingly progressive insights around suicide!

It’s not without it’s flaws, but through analysing the depiction of the protagonist’s suicide attempt, we can learn a few lessons about suicide.

It can also up an extended conversation about suicide representation in popular culture. 

Time for me to dust off the ol’ media studies degree!

Today, I’ll discuss:

-- the lessons we can learn about suicide from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

-- the positive and negative aspects of suicide representation

-- why mass media representation of suicide matter….

-- …and why we shouldn’t rely on angels as a suicide prevention method

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 

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. 

INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE SUPPORT HELPLINES:

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

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.

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.

What’s the best way to challenge the stigma associated with suicidality? Perhaps it’s through more of us sharing our stories.

Today’s guest, Chris O’Connell, has been very vocal on LinkedIn about his experiences - including multiple suicide attempts – to help spread awareness to his network of 70k connections.

In this candid conversation, Chris shares the thoughts and contributing factors leading to one of his attempts, his insights into how we can build stronger mental health, and practical advice about how leaders can support the mental health of their people.

We’ll discuss:

· why Chris thinks it’s important to speak publicly about suicidality, and what the reaction has been like when he’s done this on social media

· misconceptions around suicidality, including the idea that it is selfish

· practical ideas for supporting your own wellbeing and prioritising yourself, as well as supporting others

· the importance of cultivating compassion and self-love

· why we shouldn’t assume that people with all the trappings of success have good mental health

· the importance of being able to spend time with yourself, and why this is good for your wellbeing

DISCLAIMERS AND CONTENT WARNINGS

SUICIDE – Chris goes into some detail about his suicidal feelings and suicide attempt, so please do not listen if you are in a vulnerable headspace today. Additionally, the slur ‘committed suicide’ is used, which we'll be discuss in the intro. Professional organisations are linked at the bottom of the show notes if you’d like any support.

ABOUT CHRIS O’CONNELL

Chris is an impressive individual whichever way you look at it! He’s a £25 million Recruitment business owner turned purpose-driven NED.

Having exited his last business, he now coaches leaders on how to build purpose-led businesses that perform, focusing on best process, vision execution, and harmonising your life with your work.
 
He's also an outspoken advocate of Mental health, mindset and self care, proud dad to three incredible boys and not afraid to tell you how it is!

To get to know Chris better, listen to his podcast The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast, or follow him on Instagram: @chrisoconnellcoach

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 

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