Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

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In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," Lee Godwin, co-founder and COO of Emplomind, and a champion for mental health and suicide prevention, shares his personal and professional journey in the mental health space. Lee's involvement in mental health advocacy was profoundly shaped by a personal tragedy when his sister attempted suicide in 2019. This event prompted him to reflect on his family's communication and led him to become more actively involved in suicide prevention, eventually partnering with organisations like Papyrus and Ripple Suicide Prevention.

Emplomind, the organisation Lee co-founded, focuses on providing mental health support in the workplace. Their platform uses technology to connect employees with therapists, counsellors, and coaches, offering immediate, anonymous support for various issues, from anxiety and stress to career development. This approach aims to remove traditional barriers to mental health support, such as long waiting times for therapy.

The conversation also touches on the broader societal challenges of mental health, particularly how digital technology influences young people. Lee discusses the balance parents must strike in managing their children's exposure to technology while encouraging outdoor activities and face-to-face interactions. He notes the significant differences he observes in his daughters' behaviours when they disconnect from digital devices and engage in physical play.

Moreover, the discussion explores the role of technology in suicide prevention, highlighting Ripple Suicide Prevention's innovative approach. Ripple uses simple yet effective technology to intercept harmful online searches, offering users an opportunity to redirect from harmful content towards hopeful resources. This intervention provides a moment of calm and a chance to reconsider harmful actions, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged positively in mental health.

The episode underscores the importance of awareness, open communication, and proactive support in mental health. Lee emphasises that while there is more recognition of mental health issues today, driven partly by the overwhelming flow of information in the digital age, challenges remain in ensuring that people receive the help they need promptly and effectively.

Lee’s message is clear: while technology has its pitfalls, it also holds tremendous potential to support mental health, provided it is used thoughtfully and with a human-centric approach.