What Can Neurobiology Tell Us About Suicide with Connie Wray & Dr. Zavala

A topic of suicide is and will never be easy. With the help of Dr. Zavala and Mrs. Connie Wray they share their passionate and detailed stories along with their insight! They also take time to share the drive of scientific research into the many questions we and others have about suicide. Many of the answers remain unknown but efforts go out everyday to save lives! Suicide rates are currently climbing in the US and many other countries, and suicide is now the second leading cause of death among young people globally, after traffic accidents. The World Health Organization recently estimated that, worldwide, one person ends their own life every 40 seconds.  

Suicide is as complicated as it is tragic. I’m learning through time with Dr. Zavala & Connie Wray that suicidal behaviors come in many varieties, ranging from suicidal thinking, or ideation, to suicide attempt and completion, all of which may be associated with various levels of violence or intent. The behaviors themselves differ in incidence among genders, ethnicities, and other demographic categories, and almost always occur against a background of depression or some other mood disorder.

No field of scientific inquiry can single-handedly untangle a phenomenon as complex as suicide. But Wray & Zavala among many other scientists/researchers are hoping to shed light on the problem by digging into the neurobiological processes underlying thoughts about ending one’s own life and attempts to do so. This work is building support for the idea that suicide is tied to specific biochemical changes that can be measured and targeted independently of, and possibly in parallel with, the mental health disorders they often accompany. Findings from this work, researchers/scientists hope, could help reveal new treatments, and perhaps even opportunities to identify the people most at risk in time to intervene. 

You are worth it.

You are valued.

And you are loved please always remember this! Never make a permanent decision in a temporary situation!

Muah

Camie Cragg