Understanding Suicidal Thoughts with Cathy Shah

About this episode

Cathy Shah joins Dermot Whelan to discuss suicidal thoughts and mental health with honesty and humor.

This week on The Mind Full Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Cathy Shah, author, poet and mental health ambassador, for a conversation about a topic many of us find difficult to approach: suicide and suicidal ideation. Cathy shares her own story with incredible honesty, insight and even moments of dark humour, helping us look at this subject without fear or awkwardness. Cathy grew up in Tallaght in the 80s and 90s and is of mixed Indian-Irish heritage. Her powerful memoir Rabbit Holes and Rainbows explores childhood trauma, racism, psychosis, addiction, suicidal thoughts and recovery - all told with remarkable emotional openness. In this episode we talk about what suicidal ideation can feel like from the inside, why silence and shame make things worse, and how simple, compassionate conversations can genuinely save lives. It’s a heavy topic, but Cathy brings wisdom, warmth and real hope - and I truly believe this conversation could help someone you care about. If you have been affected by any of the subject matter in this conversation, please see the details below: -Samaritans Web: www.samaritans.org/samaritans-ireland/ Ph: (ROI) 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.ie -Pieta Web…

People in this episode

Host: Dermot Whelan

Guest: Cathy Shah

Topics covered

• suicidal thoughts
• mental health
• childhood trauma
• compassionate conversations
• recovery
• honesty
• humor

Keywords

• suicide
• mental health
• Cathy Shah
• Rabbit Holes and Rainbows
• childhood trauma
• recovery
• compassion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Samaritans, Pieta

Books & works: Rabbit Holes and Rainbows

Places: Tallaght

More episodes of The Mind Full Podcast

• Ever dream of going on the trip of a lifetime? Here’s what you need to know · May 25, 2026 · 41 min
• A Monk’s Advice For Modern Life with Vaisesika Dasa · May 17, 2026 · 57 min
• What’s Going Right? With Dr Paul Conti · May 10, 2026 · 47 min
• From Crappy to Happy with Cass Dunn · May 3, 2026 · 55 min
• Teaching Bravery in Children with Dr Mary O’Kane · April 26, 2026 · 46 min
• Why Your Breathing Might Be Fuelling Your Anxiety with Patrick McKeown · April 19, 2026 · 46 min