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The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations
You have found a podcast about surviving life after a suicide loss, which is nothing short of devastating, leaving you not knowing how to begin picking up the leftover pieces of your shattered heart. The host, Melissa Bottorff-Arey, who lost her 21-year-old son Alex to suicide on August 7, 2016, speaks to this from her own experiences. You will hear her have honest, hard conversations with other loss survivors, healers, and mental health experts on the podcast. She also produces shorter, solo episodes where she shares her own thoughts & experiences in this journey (thus far). She explores relevant topics and asks the hard questions. Nothing is 'off limit' as she delves into all areas of this grief, such as trauma, hope, healing, self-care, legacy & stigma. Melissa believes we learn to live alongside our grief, not get over it. We can make a difference only through authentic, meaningful connections and mindful choices. For a supporter or educator, these conversations hold nuggets of awareness and shine a spotlight on suicide and grief honestly and unapologetically. As a suicide loss griever, one can find the comfort of a community and hope for a little brighter tomorrow. Melissa wants to help others, like herself, go from surviving to finding a life with meaning, maybe even happiness, amid their own leftover pieces.
[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
Saving Military Lives; A Legacy to their Son
Today I talk with the Hicks FAMILY - of #HicksStrong. Today I have a conversation with Jolee, Mike, and Sienna. If you have lost a child to suicide, a sibling to suicide or a family or friend in the military to suicide this episode will speak loudly to you!
The Hicks are a warm and fun-loving family who are fiercely loyal and connected. Just three years ago, with one child in the Navy and the other in college, things were looking up for all of them
On February 11th, 2019 they received the call that would forever change their lives.
The person on the other end said “Mr. and Mrs. Hicks your son was found dead this morning”. Their hearts were shattered that day. They do not want other families to know this pain. They do not want our service members to feel alone…
#HicksStrong is here to help!
- There is an overwhelming stigma, across all branches, regarding mental health in the military.
- Service members feel they cannot talk about their mental health difficulties without losing rank or being dishonorably discharged.
- They are being told to suck it up, being mistreated by their chain of command, and being mocked by peers.
The mission is to SAVE MILITARY LIVES! - #HicksStrong Inc. aims to do this by linking veteran & active duty service members with confidential mental health therapists via telehealth and we cover up to 24 sessions.
Believe in what they do and want to SUPPORT or DONATE - do so HERE
Find a HUG MUG or other EVENT near you HERE
Find ALL things HicksStrong HERE
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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