Every day in the United States, 17 veterans die by suicide — roughly double the rate of the general population. What's driving this crisis, and what can we do to stop it? Today, host Vic Armstrong brings together three advocates from different veterans' mental health organizations who are approaching this problem from different angles.

Dan Miller is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and the Communications Director for K9s for Veterans, a nonprofit that provides highly trained service dogs to help veterans manage post-traumatic stress disorder and transition back to civilian life.

Keith Hotle is the CEO of Stop Soldier Suicide, a national nonprofit focused solely on solving the problem of suicide among U.S. veterans and service members.

Betsey Mercado is Executive Director of Objective Zero, an organization that connects active duty members, veterans, family members, and caregivers with peers and provides free mental health resources, training, and tools.

Together, they discuss he factors driving suicide among veterans, the warning signs loved ones should watch for, the kinds of support that make a difference, and the progress that's giving them hope.

To learn more about K-9 for Veterans, visit: https://www.k9sforveteransnfp.org

To learn more about Stop Solider Suicide, visit: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org

To learn more about Objective Zero, visit: https://www.objectivezero.org

To learn more about AFSP, visit: afsp.org

The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

A trip to the barbershop can lead to a lot more than a fresh cut. It's also an opportunity to connect, engage with your community and be heard. After 30 years behind the chair, Jimmy Evans recognized the unique opportunity he and his fellow barbers had to help those struggling in silence. So he created the Barbershop Therapy Foundation, an organization that trains barbers in marginalized communities to advocate for mental health, connect clients with essential resources, and destigmatize mental illness. In this episode, he shares his story, what he's learned, and his vision for what barbershops can become.

To learn more about the Barbershop Therapy Foundation, visit https://barbershop-therapy.org

To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org

The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.

In this special episode, we celebrate the work of two exceptional researchers being honored at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s 2026 Research Awards Dinner:

Dr. Jane Pearson, Special Advisor to the Director for Suicide Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Holly Wilcox, Professor, Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the recipient of the 2026 AFSP Annual Research Award

Together with host Dr. Jill, they look back at decades of suicide prevention research, including work on research ethics, youth suicide, and the role of firearms. They also reflect on the legacy of the 2001 U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention — which turns 25 this year — and how it compares to the 2024 update.

2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604165

To learn more about AFSP, visit afsp.org

The podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the positions or opinions of the producers or any affiliated organizations.