Psychologist and Psychoanalyst Dr. Jane Tillman on Resilience, Suicide and Suicidal Ideation

In this episode, Part 2 of my Sigourney Award Recipient series, I talk with psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Jane Tillman who is accepting the award on behalf of the Erikson Institute for Education, Research, and Advocacy of the Austen Riggs Center, a not-for-profit psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts. The award recognizes the body of work of distinguished scholars over ten years but in this interview, we focus on the work and research of Jane Tillman who is the Evelyn Stefansson Nef Director of the Erikson Institute.

We talk about triggers and warning signs of suicide as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Jane also talks about the stigma surrounding suicide, which especially affects families and survivors that are coping and dealing with suicide loss. We also touch upon resilience and the role of parents, schools, society, and Social Media vis-à-vis Mental Health and how psychoanalysis can lead towards a better, stronger, and more robust understanding of various issues and how it can be used as an effective tool for self-discovery and understanding.