Mark Henick: Suicide awareness deserves more attention. In this episode of The IPS Podcast, we invited Mark Henick, a mental health advocate who shares not only his professional advice, but also his personal experience of how to cope with suicidal thoughts.

Current research has shown that many of those who die from suicide were, in fact, experiencing a mental illness, with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, or dual disorder being the most common.

Mental illness gives a person a very different lens through which they see life, potentially leading them into the dark depths of suicidal thoughts – thoughts they wouldn’t have if they did not have a mental illness.

While suicide is a complicated subject, there is mostly a wish behind the intention. Most people with suicidal thoughts don’t really want to die, but instead are looking to end the suffering they are experiencing.

It’s a confusing feeling, both for the person going through it and for others, to understand.

It’s essential, therefore, that we become more open with each other about our inner battles and begin to illuminate this issue to remove the stigma around something we can all potentially suffer. 

This would not only connect us all closer together, but it will undoubtedly also bring a dramatic decline in suicide rates.

Therefore, this interview with Mark Henick is of great importance. For anyone listening who wants to learn more about suicide and understand the feeling, or for those who are currently battling with these thoughts, I hope this episode with Mark Henick will be of help to you.