Meet Dr. Diane Kaufman: Poet, Artist, Child Psychiatrist and Founder of The Hold on Campaign for Suicide Prevention

"The next time you want to kill yourself tell me and I will tell you the right way to do it." -forgotten words revealed in this riveting episode.

"How on earth can I become a psychiatrist if anyone knew I attempted suicide, let alone if I was hospitalized?' - Diane Kaufman M.D., thoughts in real time decades ago...

I have no words, only feelings of inspiration and hope after interviewing Dr. Kaufman.

This raw, real and vulnerable episode is a must listen for anyone suffering with unimaginable despair of any kind, especially suicidal thoughts.

Listen here:

“Hope is real and change is possible, but in the dark despair of depression, it is so very hard to remember this truth. I know this song can help save lives. Please take a listen. This song is my gift to you.” -Dr. Kaufman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC--K9-evaU

Diane Kaufman, MD is a poet, artist, internationally award-winning lyricist, humanism-in-medicine awardee, and retired child psychiatrist with over forty years of clinical experience.

In 2019 she received the SUNY-Downstate Medical Center Alumni Association's Dr. Frank

L. Babbott award for her distinguished service to both the medical profession and the general community.

Dr. Kaufman is a suicide attempt and suicide loss survivor with Bipolar Il Disorder and is dedicated to transforming trauma and despair into life affirming creativity. She is the founder/director of the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention that uses the power of art to educate, connect, express, and heal. (www.holdoncampaign.org).

Dr. Kaufman's story, "Bird That Wants to Fly" inspired an opera and is narrated by actor, Danny Glover. The internationally award-winning songs, "Don't Give Up," "Hold On," "Lift You Up," "Holding The Heart When It Breaks" and "For You My Lovely," were all inspired by her lyrics and help prevent suicide. Dr. Kaufman has extensive training and experience in the therapeutic use of poetry and story.

She is also a certified Expressive Arts Educational Facilitator (Salve Regina University, Newport, RI). She presents internationally on Creativity and Suicide Prevention. Dr. Kaufman loves to collaborate with kindred spirits and has just launched with South African DJ. music producer/entrepreneur, and independent artists' mental health advocate, Kino Isaac, the live stream "Talking Back 2 Suicide" podcast.