Never the Same (Dr. Tony Pisani)

This episode of Never the Same delves into addressing suicide concerns among loved ones who use substances. Featuring lived experience insights from Jack Stem and his daughter Kim, alongside Dr. Ken Connor (University of Rochester) and Morica Hutchinson (University of Connecticut), the conversation combines lived experiences and professional insights.

The episode coincides with the release of a no-cost online training resource developed by SafeSide Prevention in collaboration with the UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence on SUD Prevention to support those standing together with someone grappling with substance use and suicide challenges. Explore the resource here. 

Key topics include:

• How to start difficult conversations about suicide and substance use
• Ways to ask about suicide directly and sensitively
• How to respond effectively when someone shares their concerns. 

In this episode, the participants share personal experiences and professional insights, creating a balanced discussion that addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of supporting someone at risk of suicide who also struggles with substance use.

Guests:

• Jack Stem: A seasoned counselor and recovery advocate with decades of experience navigating addiction and peer support.
• Kim Stem: A passionate speaker on addiction and mental health, sharing her lived experiences to foster understanding and hope.
• Dr. Kenneth Conner: Professor in Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Rochester, specializing in suicide prevention and substance use research.
• Morica Hutchison: the Faculty in Public Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut, focusing on family and community-based approaches to substance use and mental health.

Host: 

Dr. Tony Pisani: Dr. Tony Pisani is a professor, clinician, and founder of SafeSide Prevention, leading its mission to build safer, more connected military, health, education, and workplace communities.

Referenced Resources (Timestamped): 

• Online Family and Friend Training Module (01:30): Developed with the University of Rochester Recovery Center of Excellence. Access here. 
• Three Steps to Ask About Suicide (10:18): A guide for friends and family. 
• 988 Crisis Line (01:03:00): National resource for immediate support. Learn more here.
• Hope Kit (01:03:30): Mentioned as a resource for stabilization. Learn more here. 

Resources to contact if you need crisis help

SafeSide does not provide crisis intervention. These crisis resources are there for you:

• United States 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Australia LifeLine Australia
• Canada Crisis Services Canada
• New Zealand LifeLine 

Welcome to “Never the Same,” where we explore how influential people and ideas have evolved over time and where they might go in the future. Reflecting the ever-changing nature of life and personal growth. Each episode features conversations with guests from various fields, highlighting defining moments and shifts in thinking. The podcast aims to uncover new insights for suicide prevention while offering broader perspectives on personal and professional growth.

Welcome to the Never The Same Podcast! Today we explore whether AI can fundamentally transform the way we conduct scientific research, especially in the context of suicide prevention. Tony is joined by Dr. Ian Cero, a faculty member at the University of Rochester and expert in clinical psychology, statistics, and... debating! (Yes, he was a Minnesota state debate champion).

Together, they tackle the question: can AI become a scientist in its own right? They dive into:

• How AI is being used today to generate research ideas and conduct experiments.
• Whether AI can truly be creative or if it just mimics patterns.
• The implications for human researchers—especially those just beginning their careers.
• How we can use AI without losing the essence of human creativity and scientific curiosity.

Ian shares his personal journey—from skepticism to relying on AI as an essential research partner. He explains how his own experience with AI helped him correct misunderstandings and even saved one of his projects from failure.

If you’re a researcher, someone interested in mental health, or just curious about where AI is taking us next, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode! We're here to keep exploring the frontiers of science and prevention.

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PXDtfKsFznI
The shift from traditional risk assessment to collaborative, person-centered care is reshaping suicide prevention. In this inaugural episode of Never the Same, Professor Tony Pisani sits down with Dr. David Jobes, creator of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), to discuss this transformative approach.

Dr. Jobes shares insights from decades of work with patients and offers a glimpse into the life-changing potential of CAMS: "You can find a way through an incredibly dark moment and look back, saying, ‘Oh my god, I almost ended my life.’”

Learn how this groundbreaking framework puts patients at the center of their care, fosters hope, and transforms lives.

Guest: Dr. David Jobes
Dr. David A. Jobes is a renowned clinical psychologist and suicidologist with over 30 years of experience. As a professor at Catholic University, he directs the Suicide Prevention Lab and has authored six books and 100+ peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Jobes is the creator of CAMS, a framework that has revolutionized care for individuals with suicidal thoughts.

Host: Dr. Tony Pisani
Dr. Tony Pisani is a professor, clinician, and founder of SafeSide Prevention, leading its mission to build safer, more connected military, health, education, and workplace communities.

Links:

• CAMS training for mental health professionals
• Meta-analysis Paper on CAMS
• Jobes Lab on X.com
• Dr. Jobes’ Bio at Catholic University
• Recommended Standard Care