SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARNESS

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARNESS

Understand the complexities of addiction with insights from mental health counsellor Sheilah Muindy, as she talks candidly about suicide prevention awareness and emotional pain.

Speaking from a place of honesty, she shares that her own spirit is "so down" yet she is still committed to marking Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and reminding people that "you do not have to carry everything alone." The episode centres on what suicide prevention really means: recognising emotional distress, reducing isolation, offering support, and connecting people with professional help. Sheilah explains that someone can be "smiling, going to work every day...

while privately experiencing overwhelming emotional pain," so assuming that people will simply speak up is risky. Instead, she urges checking in with questions like, "How are you really doing?" and paying close attention to body language and mood changes. She breaks down common reasons someone might feel suicidal, including relationship problems, grief, financial pressure, trauma, academic stress, loneliness, and feeling like a burden.

Importantly, she stresses that emotional pain isn’t always visible and that judgemental comments like "you have everything, why would you feel this way?" can be deeply hurtful.

Practical guidance runs through the episode: ask directly and calmly if you’re worried someone might harm themselves, avoid phrases such as "you should be stronger" or "you are only looking for attention," and instead say, "I’m glad you told me" or "You don’t have to go through this alone." She highlights increased use of alcohol or drugs as a warning sign and encourages connection to psychologists and other professionals when immediate danger is present.

Sheilah also suggests journaling as a tool for those who find it hard to speak, reminding everyone that "your current situation is not necessarily your final destination" and that sometimes the bravest step is simply saying, "I am not okay." The episode closes with a strong message: every story matters, every heart matters – and yours does too. What small step towards support or connection could you take today?