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
Trauma Induced Creativity; Why Helping Helps Us
In today's "Down the Rabbit Hole" episode in life after a suicide loss, I talk about why helping helps - you know, why 'getting involved' or writing or painting - HELPS. I go into a lot of things here but the resulting message all ties back to why DOING or HELPING actually helps us move forward and heal!
I have included a few links of 'places & spaces' that you may wish to look at in order to get involved.
- AFSP - Volunteer (many ways to get involved)
- Peyton Heart Project A global project created to help end suicide and bullying and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
- Active Minds changing the conversation about mental health
- HicksStrong Supporting Heros (helping raise funds and awareness so they can provide therapy to veterans and enlisted military struggling with mental health)
- Everytown for Gun Safety (leading organization that promotes gun safety and support after suicide by firearm)
There are SO MANY place we can find to put our energy - our creativity! Let me know if I can help plug you in based on your interests or passions.
I have also included one of which takes you to the signing up space to get started in our very own "Picking up the Pieces" Community HERE. 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