434. "I lost my brother at 16 to suicide, it shouldn't have happened" ft. Ben West

Mental health campaigner Ben West shares his journey of transforming the trauma of losing his younger brother, Sam, to suicide into a global movement. He details the creation of "Reasons to Stay," a suicide prevention initiative that has facilitated the exchange of over 3.6 million letters between strangers worldwide, providing a vital sense of connection and hope. West emphasizes the necessity of proactive, human-centric support systems and discusses his personal strategies for managing grief, such as establishing rules for processing difficult conversations and maintaining optimism. Beyond his advocacy, he reflects on the evolution of his own mental health, the importance of physical activity like running for mental clarity, and his upcoming book, which aims to curate real-world letters to support individuals navigating various emotional challenges.