GCP268 - Shattering Stigma & Breaking the Silence w/Shawn Hickey of Speak Out Against Suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a dedicated time to share resources, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and remind people that support, hope, and connection are available. In episode 268 of the Grow Clinton Podcast, we welcome Shawn Hickey, Outreach Coordinator for Speak Out Against Suicide (SOAS). Shawn joins us for an important, compassionate conversation about suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and the role each of us can play when someone in our lives may be struggling. SOAS serves individuals and communities throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois with a mission centered on advocacy, education, and community connection. The organization works to challenge the stigma around mental health and suicide while helping people recognize that no one should have to face difficult moments alone. A Conversation That Matters Talking about suicide can feel uncomfortable, but silence can leave people isolated at the time they most need support. During this episode, Shawn highlights the services and outreach available through SOAS, as well as practical advice for those who are concerned about an individual who may be suicidal. The conversation is a meaningful reminder that: Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide can be an act of care, not harm. Listening without judgment can help a person feel seen, heard, and less alone. Taking warning signs seriously and connecting someone to professional or crisis support can be lifesaving. Education, compassion, and open conversation are essential to prevention.  SOAS emphasizes that education helps communities recognize warning signs, build empathy, and encourage early intervention in homes, schools, workplaces, and throughout the broader community. Help Is Available If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental-health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate emergency, call 911. For more information about Speak Out Against Suicide, its mission, community involvement, education, advocacy, and ways to connect, visit https://speakoutiowa.org/. Thank You, SOAS! Grow Clinton sincerely thanks Shawn Hickey for joining us on episode 268 and for sharing such an important message with our listeners. We also thank the entire Speak Out Against Suicide team for its continued support of Grow Clinton and for the compassionate, essential work it does throughout our region. Mental wellness is a community priority, and partnerships like this help ensure that people know they are not alone and that help is available. Grow Clinton is proud to share this message, and we want the SOAS team to know we are here to help whenever needed. Catch all of the Grow Clinton Podcast episodes, available wherever you listen to podcasts. - Apple Music - Spotify - Amazon Music - Buzzsprout - Overcast - YouTube For more information about the Grow Clinton Podcast, visit https://www.facebook.com/growclintonpodcast. Have an idea for a show topic or guest? Email [email protected].   Have an idea for a podcast guest? Send us a message!