#26 - In Honor of Jason Arkin with Dr. Steve Arkin, Jason's Dad

This is a special GKO / Sex in the Pews Simulcast, because this is a topic everyone needs to hear!

Four years ago Jason Arkin succumbed to suicide while a student at Northwestern University. His parents, Doctors Steve and Karen Arkin decided to turn their unspeakable grief into a tribute to Jason’s all-too-brief but remarkable life. They, along with the Doss family who also lost their beloved Sara to similar circumstances in 2015, purposed to take these tragic events and to rise from the fiery ashes and create the Speak Up Foundation. They are united in breaking the silence and reducing stigma surrounding all mental illness and suicide. We, in the Sex in the Pews family, are united with them!

What does mental health awareness and celebrating sexuality and exposing the historic ill-effects of religion on the human psyche have in common? Listen and you will know the truth and the truth shall make us free!

This is how Jason's Dad, Dr. Steve Arkin describes the show, "This podcast that I did today goes in several directions. I talk about Jason and his struggles but we also discuss stigma of those affected by mental illness and those affected by suicide. We talk about some of the science regarding identification of mental illness but also why some people respond to one treatment over the other, genetic versus environmental factors and new imaging which could help in treatment plans. We talk about the role of neurotransmitters and the signs of potential suicidality. Particularly isolation both real and perceived. We also talk about socialization issues which contribute to behavior changes. I would like to thank Glenn and Owen for allowing me to have this important discussion with them. Any comments or questions, either here or private message, are welcome. Please share." Thanks, so much, Doc!

NSFW or children. Strong Adult Content, Language, Compassion, Humor, Insight and Condemnation of Religion.

A portion of all proceeds donated to combat human sex slave trafficking and genital mutilation.