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Every 40 seconds one person takes their life. When Param Desagani learned that, he wanted to take action. In March 2020, Desagani, a senior at Sage Hill School (CA), started a podcast to raise awareness about suicide and offer a lifeline. The podcast is an extension of a website he created when he was a freshman that connects people with research and resources related to suicide. On the podcast Help Keep a Life, which he posts on his website, Desagani interviews guest speakers on topics ranging from medication to treat depression in teenagers to how religious beliefs can help prevent suicide to how social media affects mood. Since January 2021, he has recorded 10 episodes.The most popular episode is an interview with Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science at the University of California, Irvine. They spoke about the effect of COVID-19 on depression among teenagers and the importance of having a good relationship with their parents.
Borelli was moved by Desagani's work and told The Daily Pilot, “I’ve seen a lot of teenagers and kids’ lives really crumble during this time and during many different times, and I think that’s really inspiring to see someone kind of standing up in a different way to try and do something, to go against the grain and to make the change for the better.”
Desagani hopes that his podcast, which he promotes through word of mouth and social media, reaches as many people as possible and is a resource for those who might not have professional help. He plans to continue to post monthly.
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