This interview has been edited for clarity.
For readers, this interview also features discussions centered on suicide.
Jason Cregier (JC): March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. With that in mind, we spoke with the host of the Suicide Prevention Show podcast and the DeKalb County-centric podcast TD Ryan Unleashed.
Terry "TD" Ryan, thank you for joining us.
TD Ryan (TDR): Thank you so much Jason.
I unfortunately lost my best friend when I lived in Denver years ago, and it hit me hard. One of the lessons I took from that tragic event was that you do not have control over other people’s decisions. When people set their minds on something like suicide, it is difficult to change that. That is why I will be speaking with the organization Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery. They advocate for collaboration among peers and others with shared experiences to help those in need of recovery.
JC: How many years have you hosted the Suicide Prevention Show?
TDR: It has been 15 years, and we have talked to many brave and important people. The attitude toward discussing suicide has evolved over the years. In the past, people were discouraged from talking openly about suicide. Now, younger generations are helping reduce the stigma and are more open to discussing it. That is why the organization is called Voices of Recovery.
We also plan to have members of the DeKalb area Al-Anon on the Suicide Prevention show. They will discuss the 12 Step Program of recovery. Jason, how many of the 12 steps could you name?
JC: If I am being honest, just the first.
TDR: The steps are as follows: honesty, faith, surrender, soul-searching, acceptance, integrity, humanity, willingness, forgiveness, maintenance, service and practice.
We will also discuss a involving suicide that was assisted by an artificial intelligence chat bot. It is a tragic case involving a 16-year-old who discussed suicide with a chatbot. The chatbot suggested resources for help, but after continued conversations about suicide, it eventually suggested a nearby bridge that the teenager used to take their life.
There are young people dealing with addiction and mental health struggles who need someone to talk to and may not have support. As a result, they turn to AI, and this is an instance in which a chatbot contributed to a harmful outcome.
JC: Have you asked experts how AI may help or hinder mental health?
TDR: Yes, I have. That is something we will explore in an upcoming interview. We have learned that Al-Anon offers meetings focused on making sure people are heard and supported by others. They hold 20 to 25 meetings a week, giving people options to seek help.
JC: You also recently spoke with Hope Haven of DeKalb County, correct?
TDR: Yes, and we are recognizing the role mental illness plays in homelessness. It can become a cycle of being homeless and feeling hopeless. But you meet people who have a lot going for them and just need additional support, which is why a place like Hope Haven is so important. Unfortunately, we learned that Hope Haven does not have enough beds to meet the growing need in DeKalb.
JC: TD, you have conducted many interviews around DeKalb County recently. Where can people follow your work?
TDR: You can find TD Ryan Unleashed and the Suicide Prevention Show on YouTube and Spotify by searching "TD Ryan Unleashed." Thank you, as always, for having me, Jason.
JC: No problem TD, thanks for joining us.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
