Welcome to this deeply important episode of "Whole Minds Healthy Bodies," a podcast dedicated to improving the total health and well-being of MTA employees. As part of Aetna’s 360 Health initiative, today’s discussion centers around a topic that impacts millions of lives: suicide prevention.

In this episode, we address the alarming statistics surrounding suicide, a crisis that continues to devastate families and communities. In 2022 alone, over 13.2 million Americans seriously considered suicide, 3.8 million made a plan, 1.6 million attempted, and tragically, more than 49,000 people lost their lives, with one person dying by suicide every 11 minutes, according to the CDC .

Your host Kai opens up about a personal loss to suicide and underscores the urgency of seeking help if you or a loved one is in crisis. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 988 .

To bring a message of hope and understanding, we’re joined by Cindy Sheriff, a seasoned behavioral health clinician with over 35 years of experience working with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and their families. Together, we explore how opening up conversations around mental health can pave the way to healing and support.

This episode is not just about statistics; it's about recognizing the importance of every life and finding hope in the darkest moments.

Sources:

CNN, "988 Suicide Lifeline Sees Surge in Call Volume Since Launch," July 16, 2024.

[Link](https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/16/health/988-suicide-lifeline-numbers/index.html)

CDC, "Suicide Data and Statistics," 2022. [Link](https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html)