Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories Podcast By Craig Heacock MD cover art

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

By: Craig Heacock MD
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How do we find a way out of the darkest depths of despair? Psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock hosts a deep dive into powerfully moving stories of hope and healing, as well as topical explorations of psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychedelics.

© 2026 Back from the Abyss
Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science
Episodes
  • How can we actually prevent suicide? Guns, access to means, and the hope of Donna's Law
    Mar 20 2026

    The US has a major suicide problem, around 50,000 people every year, and 60% of these suicides are gun suicides. The number one risk factor for completed suicide is not depression or anxiety or addiction….it’s access to means, and it turns out that it’s actually not that easy to impulsively kill yourself, unless you have ready access to a gun.

    We are finally starting to talk about ways to keep guns out of the hands of potentially suicidal people, and a concrete step in that direction is something called Donna’s Law— a program where people can voluntarily be put on a no-sell list during times of psychological crisis or instability. Donna’s Law is named after Donna Nathan, who impulsively bought a handgun in 2018 in New Orleans and shot herself during a period of psychiatric crisis. There were no barriers in place, no waiting period or no-sell list...Donna found easy access to means and paid the ultimate price.

    We first hear the voice of Katrina Brees, Donna’s daughter. Katrina tells us more about who Donna was, how she lived and how she died. After we hear from Katrina, Dr. H leads a discussion with two prominent Colorado voices for both Donna’s law in particular and suicide prevention in general— Dr. Dave Iverson is a Denver-based psychiatrist, a board member of Colorado Ceasefire, and lifelong advocate for society’s most vulnerable folks, including those on the streets or in the justice system… also Ginny Mack joins the conversation, she is a Ft Collins-based psychiatric nurse practitioner, a Navy Veteran, and a longtime advocate for suicide prevention efforts on the state and local level.

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    https://www.buzzsprout.com/396871/support

    Donna's Law for Suicide Prevention

    https://www.donnaslaw.com/

    Donna's Law for Colorado

    https://www.donnaslawforco.com/

    Colorado listeners who would like to get involved in the awareness campaign for Donna's Law, please email:

    donnaslawforco@gmail.com

    Golden Gate suicide study

    https://www.goldengate.org/assets/1/6/suicide-deterrent-seiden-study.pdf

    Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive workshop for psych NPs and PAs, June 3-6 2026 in Ft Collins

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/bringing-therapy-into-med-management/

    "I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?" An intensive experiential workshop exploring transference and countertransference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, June 18-20 2026 in Vancouver/Chilliwack BC

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom/

    Explore every episode through themes, domains, formats, and speakers.
    The BFTA CODEX is a listener-built and curated field guide to the podcast.
    https://bfta-codex.org

    BFTA episode recommendations/Podcast page

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • A somatic therapist and her apprenticeship of grief
    Mar 6 2026

    Today’s story explores how we love, how we grieve, and how we eventually find some sort of equilibrium thereafter. This episode is a heartbreaking, yet beautiful story by Colorado-based somatic therapist Darci Meyers about her journey through multiple losses, grief, and ongoing recovery.

    Support the show!

    https://www.buzzsprout.com/396871/support

    Darci Meyers

    http://www.darcimeyers.com/

    Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive workshop for psych NPs and PAs, June 3-6 2026 in Ft Collins

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/bringing-therapy-into-med-management/

    "I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?" An intensive experiential workshop exploring transference and countertransference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, June 18-20 2026 in Vancouver/Chilliwack BC

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom/

    Explore every episode through themes, domains, formats, and speakers.
    The BFTA CODEX is a listener-built and curated field guide to the podcast.
    https://bfta-codex.org

    BFTA episode recommendations/Podcast page

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/





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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • A gift of therapy- Discovering the wisdom of the body
    Feb 20 2026

    Kari reconnected with her birth mother in her 40s and finally began to understand the suffering for which she had no words. This is a story of adoption and reunification, of forgetting and remembering, of finding a truth without words in the wisdom of the body. Kari’s birth mother was able to see something deep in Kari that she had never had words for….and thus began her path toward healing.

    Support the show!

    https://www.buzzsprout.com/396871/support

    Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive workshop for psych NPs and PAs, June 3-6 2026 in Ft Collins

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/bringing-therapy-into-med-management/

    "I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?" An intensive experiential workshop exploring transference and countertransference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, June 18-20 2026 in Vancouver/Chilliwack BC

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom/

    Elemental Psychedelics Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training

    https://www.elementalpsychedelics.com/ketaminetraining

    Explore the podcast through themes, domains, formats, and speakers.

    The BFTA CODEX is a listener-built and curated field guide to every episode.

    https://bfta-codex.org

    BFTA episode recommendations/Podcast page

    https://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/



    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    48 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Dr H is a strong story-teller and brings these stories to life. He also provides valuable information about many topics from treatments to medications.

Emotional, interesting, informative

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