Harvard Psychologist Matthew Nock: 20% of People Experience Suicidal Thoughts! (Spot the Signs and Ask THESE Questions That Could Save a Life)
from On Purpose with Jay Shetty
by iHeartPodcasts
Published: Mon Sep 15 2025
Show Notes
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:
Intro
Why Mental Health Conversations Are Limited
Suicide Awareness Saves Lives!
Debunking the Biggest Myths About Suicide
What the Data Really Reveals About Suicide Rates
Understanding the Stages of Suicidal Thoughts
Who Is Most at Risk for Suicide?
How Men and Women Differ in Suicide Risk
Why Adolescence Brings Higher Risk
Should We Teach Suicide Awareness in Schools?
The Promise and Perils of AI in Mental Health
Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough
Bullying Is Still a Serious Risk
Why Parents Should Talk About Suicide with Their Children
What If Kids Don’t Want to Talk About It?
What Steps Should You Take Next?
Why Men Are More Likely to Die by Suicide
Why Science Must Guide Suicide Prevention
New Mothers Experience With Suicidal Thoughts
Most Effective Therapies For Suicide Prevention
Do Suicide Survivors Regret Their Attempts?
How Mental Disorders Increase Risk
Can We Predict When Someone Will Act on a Suicidal Thought?
Predicting Who’s at Risk And When
The Shame Around Suicidal Thoughts
Careers Linked to Higher Suicide Risk
Losing a Close Friend to Suicide
How Do You Begin to Heal After a Loss?
The Impact of Losing Someone to Suicide
You Are Never a Burden
How to Use Social Media Safely and Responsibly
Suicide Is Rarely Sudden, It Builds Over Time
The Future of Suicide Prevention
Episode Resources:
Matthew Nock | X
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