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Action - We enter the fourth phase of the STEPS model — TIP — the moment when suicidal thought becomes action.

TIP is an acronym for:
T – Tension Builds – the lead-up to the act: the events, emotions, and pressures that coiled the thread so tight it broke.
I – Impact Unfolds – the act itself: whether impulsive or rehearsed, interrupted or completed, and the mindset that accompanied it.
P – Postscript Remains – the immediate aftermath: what followed physically, emotionally, and relationally when survival was still possible.

We explore how the crossing into action can happen in two ways:

• Gradually, through the NEEDLE phase, as intention sharpens into planning.
• Or suddenly — as it does for one in four people — bypassing planning entirely and leaping straight from ideation into action.

Drawing on trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies, we discuss how to have these critical conversations — most often in the hours or first day after an attempt — to validate the pain, uncover the story of the rupture, and begin to stitch safety back into the weave of a life that has been torn.

Ari’s story returns, showing how the second time was different — fast, impulsive, fuelled by alcohol — and how a knock at the door became the thread that held.

Because the story does not end at the point of rupture.
Not if the person is still breathing.
Not if we are still listening.

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Intention and the Quiet Planning of Death

When risk tightens, our questions must soften. This is where the thread turns sharp.

Sometimes the thread of suicidal thought sharpens—quietly, steadily—until it points toward a plan.
This is the NEEDLE phase of the STEPS framework, where risk is no longer just emotional or ideational, but begins to take form.

In this episode, we explore the six stages of NEEDLE:

• Navigating Ambivalence – feeling torn between holding on and letting go
• Excluding Options – when nothing else feels possible
• Examining Means – researching, imagining, preparing
• Drafting an Exit – forming a plan, even silently
• Leaving Subtle Signs – the quiet goodbyes, often missed
• Exploring the Exit – rehearsing, visiting, coming close… and sometimes turning back

Through Ari’s story and clinical reflections, we learn how to sit beside the weight of intention—not to rush, not to retreat, but to trace the thread with care before it slips through the needle’s eye.

Because even here, motion can still shift.
Presence matters. And every thread held is a life with more to live.

🎧 Listen now and stay connected as we walk the STEPS together.
#STEPS4HOPE #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #NEEDLE #Intention #ClinicalEducation #RelationalSafety

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Ideation. It doesn’t always arrive loudly.

Sometimes it starts with a whisper—“I’m just tired.”
Other times, it circles silently, gaining strength beneath the surface.

In this episode, we explore THREAD, the second phase of the STEPS model. Here, suicidal ideation begins to take shape—not yet a plan, but not just passing pain. This is the moment to notice the pull, to trace the thread before it tightens.

We walk through six elements of THREAD:
🧠 Thoughts of Suicide
🌫 Headspace of Suicidality
🔁 Recurrence & Distractibility
🔍 Escalation in Specificity
⚖️ Ability & Desire to Resist
➡️ Direction Toward Planning

With motivational interviewing and trauma-informed questions, we learn how to sit beside the person—not to interrogate, but to understand.

Because when we notice early, we can stay close.
And when we stay close, we create safety—one thread at a time.

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Predisposition and the Invisible Unravelling

Where suicide risk begins — quietly, invisibly. This episode explores the earliest, often overlooked signs of emotional unraveling through the metaphor of FABRIC: Fragile sense of self, Alienation, Burdensomeness, Repetitive rumination, Inescapable circumstances, and Curtain of despair.

Before there are plans, before there are words, there are feelings — of being hollow, disconnected, stuck, or unseen. These are not yet cries for death, but whispers of disconnection from life.

Through Ari’s story and clinical reflection, we learn how to recognise these early warning threads and respond with presence, not panic. We explore how careful, curious questions can help surface what hurts — and what still matters.

This is where prevention begins: not in fixing, but in noticing.

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STEPS 4 HOPE: Suicide Prevention Through Story, Song & Meaning

Welcome to PROTECT (Season 4), a podcast where suicide prevention meets story, values, and the quiet power of music. Hosted by Dr. Manaan Kar Ray, psychiatrist, educator, and creator of the STEPS and HOPE frameworks, this series blends narrative, metaphor, and original music to explore how we can respond with presence and purpose to life’s most fragile moments.

Each episode follows Ari’s story—a tapestry of struggle, meaning, and recovery—and invites listeners into the emotional and clinical landscapes of suicide prevention. Grounded in values-based therapy and ACT principles, STEPS for HOPE is both poetic and practical, designed for health professionals, lived experience advocates, and anyone walking alongside someone in pain.

You’ll hear:

• Story passages from the STEPS for HOPE books
• Original songs created to capture the soul of the story
• Reflections on how to notice, respond, and reweave meaning after distress

This is not a podcast of quick fixes. It’s a space for reflection, compassion, and learning to hold hope—even in the fray.

Visit ATLAS.

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Explore Sunny's Values Scouts

Wrapping Up The Courage to Explore

In this heartfelt final episode of 2024, the PROTECT Podcast explores the profound value of inner strength as Sunny meets his new guide, Goro the Gorilla. Through a challenging climb up a rocky hillside, Goro teaches Sunny that true strength isn’t about physical power—it’s about resilience, patience, and the determination to keep going, one step at a time.

Dr. Manaan Kar Ray and Mahi reflect on the interconnected values from The Courage to Explore: courage with Leo, adventure with Max, curiosity with Milo, wonder with Hazel, and now inner strength with Goro. Each value builds on the others, forming a foundation for resilience and growth.

The episode also delves into the role of inner strength in mental health, highlighting its importance for navigating stress, building emotional resilience, and supporting others with kindness and compassion. Dr. Kar Ray discusses the vital role inner strength plays for mental health practitioners and the importance of self-care in sustaining their work.

As this special episode marks the end of the year, Mahi bids farewell (for now) as she prepares for her next adventure studying medicine in the UK. Dr. Kar Ray takes a moment to celebrate her growth as a host, storyteller, and voice artist, sharing heartfelt wishes for her journey ahead.

Filled with warmth and wisdom, the episode closes with festive Christmas wishes and a reflection on how the values of The Courage to Explore can guide your New Year’s resolutions. Join us again in January 2025 for The Art of Wisdom, starting with the value of wisdom itself.

May your holidays be filled with courage, adventure, curiosity, wonder, and strength. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Explore Sunny's Values Scouts

In Episode 64 of the PROTECT Podcast, Dr. Manaan Kar Ray and Mahi explore the transformative value of Wonder. Building on last week’s theme of curiosity, this episode dives deeper into the magic of noticing and appreciating the beauty around us. Wonder isn’t just about grand, life-changing moments—it’s about finding awe in the ordinary, from a shimmering flower to a breathtaking sunset.

Through the enchanting story of Sunny’s journey with Hazel the Hummingbird, we learn how wonder helps us pause, notice, and marvel at life’s everyday miracles. Hazel’s vibrant perspective reminds us that even the smallest things can fill us with joy if we take the time to truly see them.

Dr. Kar Ray shares fascinating research on the mental and physical benefits of wonder, revealing how awe reduces stress, boosts mood, and fosters a profound sense of connection. Wonder shifts our perspective, helping us feel part of something greater and instilling hope, even in challenging times.

The episode also highlights the importance of wonder in mental health practice, showing how it fosters deeper connections, enhances creativity, and nurtures both clients and practitioners. Through thoughtful prompts and a spotlight on Norway’s awe-inspiring landscapes, this episode invites you to rediscover the magic all around you.

Join us as we celebrate wonder—the value that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Prepare to pause, marvel, and let the beauty of life fill your heart.

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Explore Sunny's Values Scouts

In this heartwarming episode of the PROTECT Podcast, we explore the transformative power of curiosity. Join Dr. Manaan Kar Ray and his daughter, Mahi, as they dive into Sunny’s latest adventure in Sunny’s Values Scouts. Guided by Milo the Meerkat, Sunny discovers how curiosity can unlock creativity, build resilience, and solve even the trickiest puzzles.

Curiosity isn’t just for kids—it’s a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges and finding joy in the everyday. This episode features:

• Thoughtful insights on the value of curiosity in building emotional resilience.
• Real-world research showing how curiosity reduces anxiety, boosts relationships, and fosters problem-solving.
• Practical discussion prompts to help parents, teachers, and mental health professionals spark curiosity in their kids, clients, and themselves.

Packed with storytelling, humor, and heartfelt reflections, this episode also spotlights Japan’s philosophy of shoshin (beginner’s mind) and its lifelong lessons on living curiously. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of next week’s value: Wonder!

Discover how asking “What if?” can lead to deeper connections, greater empathy, and a more resilient life. Tune in now and let curiosity light your way!

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