Helen C. Epstein

Helen Epstein, visiting professor and author of Why Live?, brings a public-health lens to suicide as social phenomenon. She traces how sudden shifts from communal mutual-aid to isolated market life can spark suicide epidemics. The conversation examines historical cases from Russia to Micronesia, cultural breakdowns in emotional life, and how modernization reshapes meaning and belonging.

Helen C. Epstein, a public health researcher at Bard College and author of "Why Live: An Anatomy of Suicide Epidemics," delves into the startling phenomenon of suicide epidemics. She discusses how these crises can unfold rapidly within communities, driven by profound social ruptures rather than just biological factors. Epstein's insights reveal the emotional toll of modernization, particularly on young men in Micronesia, and emphasize the urgent need for better communication and community support to combat rising suicide rates.

In this engaging discussion, Helen C. Epstein, a public health researcher and writer from Bard College, explores the unsettling phenomenon of suicide epidemics. She delves into how profound social ruptures, rather than just mental illness, trigger spikes in suicide rates across various communities. The conversation touches on the isolating effects of modernization, particularly in post-communist Russia and Micronesia, and examines the intricate connections between trauma, resilience, and community support in combating mental health crises.