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
What has Helped Me the Most after Suicide Loss?; Part 2 Tools and Practices
Today I go "down the rabbit hole" for Part 2 in a 3 part series called "what has helped me the most" (after the loss of my son by suicide). I know that I have talked about these topics before - and I will again - because we need to hear them often, to be reminded - to be empowered - to SURVIVE!
The first Part 1 (Ep 2 Season 3) addressed Community and Support. Part 3 will be around Time and Self Care. These topics are the cornerstones for survival, hope, and (eventually) healing in this life after suicide loss. Please do respond if you would like to add to these or have any input that I might include.
Today in Part 2, I talk about 'Tools and Practices' and what that has meant (& still means) to me as a parent who will forever grieve the loss of her son. Most of what I discuss today centers around the idea that early on we find the tools that work to help us to build a 'toolkit' so that we may 'rebuild' ourselves and our life. Later, this same kit will assist when we need to do back in for 'repairs' or to the add-on, or 're-model' any part of your life. I also discuss practices (aka habits) that I have put into place.
I have included a few links, one of which takes you to the signing up space to get started in our very own "Picking up the Pieces" Community. It's in the beginning phase so dive on in now and help to make it exactly what you need!
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My website "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is LIVE and that means my different SUPPORT SPACE Options are available and much more will be coming in 2022
Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where yo9u will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support
My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
The website again is at www.theleftoverpieces.com
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you
IN a crisis you can also TEXT--->
TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258
And Grievers, I am always here. You can find me at The Leftover Pieces