Trigger Warning: Suicide & Self-Harm

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 (U.S.) or contact your local emergency services.

Have you been feeling down lately?

What’s been weighing on you the most?

Today, Jay sits down with Dr. Matthew Nock, Harvard psychologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on suicide prevention, to unpack one of the most urgent and misunderstood issues of our time. Together, they dismantle common myths about suicide, revealing that it’s rarely about wanting life to end, but more often about escaping overwhelming pain. Drawing on decades of groundbreaking research, Matthew explains how suicidal thoughts take shape, why they don’t always lead to action, and how depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and social disconnection can shape someone’s experience.

Jay and Matthew also look at how culture, gender, and age shape risk, uncovering why men are more likely to die by suicide, why adolescence is such a vulnerable stage, and how isolation later in life can intensify struggle. They examine the double edge of technology and AI, from the dangers of online bullying to the hopeful potential tools that can predict when someone may be most at risk. The conversation underscores the lifesaving power of open dialogue, especially between parents and children, while dispelling the myth that asking about suicide will put the idea in someone’s mind.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Talk About Suicide Without Fear

How to Support a Friend in Crisis

How to Spot Risk Factors in Adolescents

How to Create a Safety Plan at Home

How to Use Technology Safely for Mental Health

How to Break the Stigma Around Suicide

How to Strengthen Hope and Connection

You are not alone, and your presence in this world carries more value than you may realize. Hold on to hope, and know that even in the darkest moments, there are pathways toward light, growth, and renewal.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:45 Why Mental Health Conversations Are Limited

02:55 Suicide Awareness Saves Lives!

03:40 Debunking the Biggest Myths About Suicide

04:32 What the Data Really Reveals About Suicide Rates

07:12 Understanding the Stages of Suicidal Thoughts

10:31 Who Is Most at Risk for Suicide?

13:05 How Men and Women Differ in Suicide Risk

14:40 Why Adolescence Brings Higher Risk

16:12 Should We Teach Suicide Awareness in Schools?

18:29 The Promise and Perils of AI in Mental Health

22:18 Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

23:46 Bullying Is Still a Serious Risk

26:14 Why Parents Should Talk About Suicide with Their Children

30:07 What If Kids Don’t Want to Talk About It?

32:50 What Steps Should You Take Next?

35:04 Why Men Are More Likely to Die by Suicide

38:17 Why Science Must Guide Suicide Prevention

40:12 New Mothers Experience With Suicidal Thoughts

42:48 Most Effective Therapies For Suicide Prevention

44:04 How Mental Disorders Increase Risk

44:49 Can We Predict When Someone Will Act on a Suicidal Thought?

48:41 The Shame Around Suicidal Thoughts

50:24 Careers Linked to Higher Suicide Risk

52:31 Losing a Close Friend to Suicide

54:23 How Do You Begin to Heal After a Loss?

56:08 The Impact of Losing Someone to Suicide

57:37 Suicide Is Rarely Sudden, It Builds Over Time

58:48 You Are Never a Burden

01:00:51 Do Suicide Survivors Regret Their Attempts?

01:02:21 How to Use Social Media Safely and Responsibly

01:03:46 Predicting Who’s at Risk And When

01:07:04 The Future of Suicide Prevention

Episode Resources:

Matthew Nock | X

Nock Lab

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