In this episode, Larry & Dawne focus on the difficult topic of suicide awareness and prevention. Their community outside of Philadelphia has been devastated by teenage suicide over the past six years, and they would like to bring insights and tools to anyone who feels they are at risk or those supporting them. They are joined by special guest Dennis Gillan, founder and executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. Dennis turned his tragedy into purpose after losing his two brothers to suicide. He is a highly sought-after speaker and mental health advocate. His candid story of perseverance creates connection, instills hope, and helps break the stigma of talking about mental health.
Dennis shares the heart wrenching story of his brothers Mark and Matthew, and how that ultimately became the motivation to turn his misery into his mission to help others avoid the same heartbreak that he has endured.
He talks about the 15-24 age group and the work he does in schools and on college campuses, including a hopeful story about one student who had the courage to raise his hand to say "that's me" as Dennis was going through the warning signs, and how his friends surrounded him and wouldn't let him go anywhere. Dennis also addresses some of the other demographic groups and their challenges.
Dennis discloses some of the warning signs to look out for across three groups - talk/text, behavior and mood. He also shares a very direct way to approach someone who you suspect may be considering suicide.
He explains the genesis of his "purple file" and how it made it into Entrepreneur magazine. The size of that file tells you everything you need to know about the impact that Dennis is making in this world.
Dennis closes with information about his foundation, Half A Sorrow. We would encourage all of you to go to his site and review the information and services that he provides, and if you are leading a school, organization or company and want to provide your students/members/employee's with critical information in the area of Suicide Awareness and Prevention, please consider bringing in Dennis to give a Keynote or lead a workshop.
More information, including his highly impactful TEDx talk on combating loneliness, can be found at:
halfasorrow.org
You can reach Dennis directly at:
dennis@halfasorrow.org
If in crisis, please call or text 988 to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
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