Debby Waldman

Author's posts

Naming Suicide in Obits Was Once Taboo. Changing That Can Help Loved Ones Grieve.

Mental health is being talked about more openly than ever, but the word “suicide” has remained largely taboo when describing how someone died. See why that’s slowly changing, what it means for people who grieve those deaths, and how candor can help prevent additional suicides.

More obituaries acknowledge suicide as openness on mental health grows

The reluctance to talk about suicide has many implications. Stigma also affects everything from how people grieve to how people help prevent it.

When College Athletes Kill Themselves, Healing the Team Becomes the Next Goal

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students. Contrary to conventional wisdom, athletes aren’t immune from the risk factors. Players at Stanford University, the University of Wisconsin, and other colleges are learning how to protect their mental health and ask for help after their teammates killed themselves.