Talking about suicide and its myths can save lives. Easha Kapur (UCL Politics and International Relations BSc, 2025) takes on the critical issue of youth mental health, aiming to debunk prevalent myths that often hinder young people from seeking vital support. She interviews her father, Professor Navneet Kapur, Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health. He’s a leading expert on the subject of self-harm and suicide. This podcast makes complex academic insights accessible, addressing the rising psychological stress among youth. It’s important listening for young people, teachers, and caregivers hoping to understand and support mental wellbeing.
The episode directly challenges common misconceptions, revealing that talking about suicide generally does not increase its likelihood. It corrects the notion that suicide rates surged during the pandemic, noting they actually fell due to social cohesion. A key focus is men’s mental health, dispelling the myth that men don’t seek help by highlighting that 90% of men at high suicide risk had indeed sought assistance. The discussion also debunks the idea that suicidal thoughts are merely attention-seeking or exclusively linked to diagnosed mental illness, emphasizing underlying issues and broader societal factors.
Finally, the podcast explores the dual impacts of social media on mental health, offering guidance on navigating online information and highlighting the roles of educators, parents, and legislators. It advocates for sensitive language like “died by suicide” to reduce stigma. This powerful conversation underscores the importance of open dialogue, reaching out for help, and maintaining hope. It’s a call to action for listeners to engage in mental health conversations, fostering understanding and support in their communities to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide.
Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with self- harm or suicide, help is available 24/7 via the Samaritans helpline on 116 123.
Featuring
Episode producer
- Easha Kapur (Politics and International Relations BSc)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/easha-kapur-102087184
Interviewer
- Easha Kapur (Politics and International Relations BSc)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/easha-kapur-102087184
Interviewees
- Professor Navneet Kapur, Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health
https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/nav.kapur
Host
- Professor Joe Cain, UCL Professor of History and Philosophy of Biology
https://ucl.ac.uk/sts/cain
Music credits
Inside Easha’s episode
- “Windows Night Celeste Loop” By Liecio, public domain,
https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/windows-night-celeste-loop-132289/
Episode introduction and exit
- “Rollin at 5” Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
https://incompetech.com
Episode information
WeAreSTS is a production of the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) at University College London (UCL). To find out more, or to leave feedback about the show:
https://ucl.ac.uk/sts/podcast
This episode was produced as an assignment in the module HPSC0161 Podcasting as Science Communication.