The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
This podcast focuses on surviving life after a suicide loss, an experience that can be devastating and leave you feeling lost as you try to pick up the pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, lost her 21-year-old son, Alex, to suicide on August 7, 2016, and brings (& often shares) her insights from her personal journey.
In each episode, Melissa engages in honest and challenging conversations with other survivors of loss, healers, and mental health experts. She also produces shorter solo episodes where she reflects on her own thoughts and experiences thus far. The podcast covers a wide range of relevant topics and addresses difficult questions. Melissa explores all aspects of grief, including trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy, and stigma. She believes that we learn to live alongside our grief rather than get ing over it. Actual change comes through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices.
For supporters or educators, these conversations provide valuable insights and shine a light on suicide and grief genuinely and unapologetically. Listeners who are grieving a suicide loss can find comfort in the community and hope for a better tomorrow. Melissa aims to help others, like herself, transition from merely surviving to discovering a life filled with meaning and, potentially, even happiness amid the leftover pieces around you.
[Please NOTE: This podcast is for only relational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It candidly and openly discusses sensitive and sometimes activating topics. There will be no in-depth or graphic descriptions of the method, but merely the possible mention of suicide, murder, rape, and the like. Be guided and care for yourself accordingly. Also, Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing on this podcast should be taken in place of, or as, medical/mental health advice or recommendations.]
The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
A Dads Roundtable Discussion; Three Dads talk Grief, Loss & Feelings
Today we have the next installment of the roundtable series that I am doing this season. Today i share a unique conversation with three dads who all lost their sons to suicide. You will meet John Twomey who lost his son C.J. thirteen years ago, Tom C. who lost his son Nick two years ago and also Corey D. who lost his son Christopher 9 months ago. They were all a bit nervous and reserved going in, but you hear them relax and open up as the conversation expands and connection is made.
We are still losing young men to suicide 75% more often than young women. Men need to stop "manning-up" and start opening up. These men set an amazing example of how it can be done. This conversation is one we need more of - discussions with men and for men about mental health, suicide & feelings in general. #dadsgrievetoo
Just some of what we discuss today:
- Each of their amazing kids
- How they handled their emotions - then and now
- How have their relationships been affected... all of them
- In their opinion, how do we start to bridge the mental health gap and talking when you need help with young men.
- Any advice they have for dads listening.
No matter what place in their grief they are, they all share how it doesn't get easier and there's even a few surprises in store in this episode as it wraps up. This episode took me out of my own comfort zone a bit and I definitely learned a lot from these brave men.
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. I work to meet the needs of the three main things all moms say they need after the loss of their child by suicide - resources (at the time of loss and beyond), a community of connection that 'gets it' and a way to ensure that their child leaves an enduring legacy in this world!
For resources go to my Resource Page HERE
For Community, go t my Support Page HERE where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support.
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
The latest Legacy project is NOW published as a BOOK -- GET IT HERE!!!
ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
CALL 988 OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258