Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Joel Katz

What To Do When You Know Someone Considering Suicide

Author Joel Katz
Silouette of a woman depressed on a bed by a window

It’s less than three months until the next American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Community Middlesex County Walk at Thompson Park in Jamesburg, New Jersey. We all have a “Why” when we join the AFSP Out of the Darkness Community. 

Through the years we have lost close loved ones, have watched family members struggle, and have experienced struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. This has only given us more purpose and motivation to support others.

Interview with AFSP’s Liz Clemens About Suicide Prevention

I spoke with Liz Clemens about this very important subject. Liz is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Chapter of AFSP. We talked about many important things regarding suicide including what you can do when you believe someone you know has considered taking their own life. Listen to our conversation here:

On November 3rd I am walking for the people in my life who have considered suicide for various reasons but have gotten help. I’m getting involved to create a conversation that can save lives and help those who feel there’s no alternative. To be part of something that makes a difference and creates a society that’s smart about mental health.

This is why I am joining hundreds of thousands of people across the country who are walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walks to prevent suicide and support AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Please help me reach my goal by donating. All donations are 100% tax deductible and benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, funding research, education, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide.

I know that the walk is a few months away, but I’m asking for donations now to reach my goal and to help #StopSuicide.

According to the CDC Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Sadly, I know several people and families who have been affected by suicide, and chances are that you have as well. On Sunday, November 3rd when I participate in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Community Middlesex County Walk at Thompson Park in Jamesburg, New Jersey, you can join me to help raise awareness and let people know that they’re not alone. All of the funds raised support research, education, advocacy, and support for those who are affected by suicide.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge how suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

Along with our participation in the walk, there are many things we can do to help prevent suicide. You can join a local AFSP chapter, there’s one in each of the 50 states. Then along with other volunteers, you can raise awareness and funds and spread hope through local programs, activities, and events like the AFSP walk.

The Interactive Screening Program (ISP) is a customized platform that starts a confidential conversation that in many cases leads people to get the support they need to survive. Even when people know about available mental health services, shame, fear, and embarrassment often prevent them from seeking help. ISP provides a safe and confidential way for people to talk away from the dark by taking a brief screening for stress, depression, and other mental health conditions. They receive a personal response from a program counselor within the mental health services available to them – ISP helps resolve peoples’ resistance to seeking mental health services.

Join the AFSP Walk or Make a Donation

Please accept my invitation to join my team for the AFSP Walk or simply make a small donation to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. You can sign up or donate here.

Any amount you donate makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for caring and your support!

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

 

Music From These Artists Make People Feel The Most Confident

Music can be used to regulate your mood by easing negative emotions and enhancing positive ones. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, our favorite melodies release dopamine, known as the “feel-good hormone.” They also said that fast tempos can psychologically and physiologically arouse us, helping energize us for the day which can have a positive impact on our mental state.

They say these music acts make people feel the most confident.

Within Health, a company that helps with eating disorders recoveries study on how music impacts body image. Part of their study features music acts in several genres that they say make people feel confident.

They used the searches on a digital music streaming service to gather their results. Compiling a total of 2,544 playlists that were found when searching “confidence,” “feel good,” “body positivity,” “body image,” “feeling ugly,” and “bad body image.”

The study found that Lizzo is the top artist to listen to for body confidence. When it comes to the rock genre, it’s the most listened-to genre by fans with positive body image at percent.

Another result from the study found that 28 percent of people think music videos have a negative impact on body image.

Body-positive playlist vs. negative body image playlist.

Meanwhile, the top three songs found on the body-positive playlist include “Confident” by Demi Lovato, “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, and “Kill Bill” by SZA. These and many other songs in this category feature lyrics about strong individuals who reject outdated beauty standards in favor of creating their own.

The top three songs found on the negative body image playlist include “Prom Queen” by Beach Bunny, “Fat Funny Friend” by Maddie Zahm, and “Jealousy, Jealousy” by Olivia Rodrigo. Playlists on the negative end of the body positivity spectrum were more often populated with songs about struggling with beauty standards.

Their research showed specific artists that are linked to making people feel confident. From Luke Combs, Drake, and Nirvana to Daft Punk, Pink Floyd, and Taylor Swift.

See the full study and complete list of top artists who make people feel confident for various genres here.

Here are artists that make people feel confident by genre.

  • Country – Carrie Underwood

    Carrie Underwood topped the country genre list for artists who make people feel confident. She is followed by Shania Twain, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and Toby Keith. Underwood shared the best ways to gain confidence with The Country Daily. She said that some days you’ve just got to fake it until you make it. “‘Okay, just kind of pretend like you know what you’re doing [laughing] until you actually do,’ and I feel like that worked,” she shared.

  • Metal – Metallica

    Metallica topped the metal genre list for artists who make people feel confident. The band was number one out of five other music acts followed by Tool, Nirvana, Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold.

  • Rock – Queen

    Queen is number one on the rock genre list for artists who make people feel confident. Dr Jacob Jolij, a cognitive neuroscientist the University of Groningen in Holland said that the top feel-good song is Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Some of the other music acts on the list include Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd.

  • Pop – Lizzo

    From Taylor Swift, and Adele, to Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. Lizzo tops the list for pop artists who make people feel confident. She has shown many times that she is all about body positivity and self-confidence. Whether its in her music, social media presence, or motivational speeches when she’s snagging up an award, its no surprise she tops the list.

  • EDM – Alesso

    Alesso topped the EDM genre list for artists who make people feel confident. The band was number one out of five other music acts followed by the late Avicii, Daft Punk, Seven Lions, and Tiesto. Many of these artists were also named as EDM Sauce’s top artists for Feel Good Songs.

  • Hip-Hop/ Rap – Megan Thee Stallion

    Megan Thee Stallion topped the hip-hop/ rap genre list for artists who make people feel confident. She lead the pack followed by Drake, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Eminem. These artists often produce high energy music with lyrics that highlight being confident.

Sign Up For The Magic 98.3 Newsletter

Get the latest celebrity and music buzz, info on events you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, game and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Joel Katz
Category:
Tags:
,

More Human Interest

Load More