🌵 ARIZONA UNSCRIPTED — UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE, GRIEF & PREVENTION

Welcome to 🌵 Arizona Unscripted — the show all about Arizona: the people, the places, the food, the fun, and the stories that make the Grand Canyon State unlike anywhere else.

In this important episode, host Bart is joined by co-hosts Kathryn and Jim for a candid conversation about suicide, grief, prevention, and the mental health resources available in our communities.

Their guest is Teri Geier, a licensed clinical social worker with decades of experience working with children, adults, veterans, people struggling with addiction, hospice patients, and families affected by suicide.

Following recent tragedies that deeply affected the Lake Havasu City community, Teri helps the Arizona Unscripted team explore a difficult subject that too often remains unspoken.

The conversation explores:

• How grieving after a suicide can differ from other forms of grief

• Warning signs that someone may be struggling

• Depression, exhaustion, isolation, and major life transitions

• Why it's important to ask someone directly if they are thinking about suicide

• The guilt and unanswered questions often experienced by family members and friends

• Suicide among children, adults, veterans, and older Americans

• Gaps in emergency and mental health services

• Why communities, hospitals, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and other organizations need to work together

Teri emphasizes one particularly important message: we shouldn't be afraid to talk about suicide. Asking someone directly about what they're experiencing can open the door to a conversation when they may desperately need someone to listen.

The discussion also examines what happens after a suicide and why families, friends, coworkers, and entire communities need support rather than silence, shame, or stigma.

It's a serious but important Arizona Unscripted conversation about recognizing when someone may be struggling, supporting those left behind, and finding better ways for Arizona communities to respond.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

🌵 Arizona Unscripted — exploring Arizona one conversation at a time.