Thomas Joiner is an American academic psychologist and leading expert on suicide.
He is the Robert O. Lawton Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, where he operates his Laboratory for the Study of the Psychology and Neurobiology of Mood Disorders, Suicide, and Related Conditions.
The desire to die by suicide comes from a sense of disconnection from others and lack of belonging, combined with a belief that one is a burden on others.
Under this model, a combination of desire and ability will precede most serious suicide attempts.
In 2023, Joiner appeared on the history-centered podcast, Out of the Box with Jonathan Russo.