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
Child Loss by Suicide; How Parents Heal (aka: it IS possible to heal)
Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to discuss that illusive concept of healing after losing a child to suicide. And while today I do specifically address how a parent is affected & heals-- I strongly believe that any loss survivor will find nuggets that apply to other losses as well. (And you will want to listen ALL the way to the end)
When I lost my 21-year-old son Alex to suicide in 2016 my world was shattered. If someone had told me I would -- or even that I could -- heal, I may have not received it so positively.... UNLESS it was another parent that had been there! Other parents that were "ahead" of me in this journey were my biggest inspiration and motivation for pushing myself and choosing to chase joy after that first year (aka the Survival Year). It is my wish that this episode can offer you the hope you need right now.
Today I talk about:
- Gathering up your 'leftover pieces' to start rebuilding after child loss by suicide.
- The first year - Survival
- The second year - Hope
- The third year - Healing
- And what is beyond those first three years - I will do a deeper dive there someday.
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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. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you 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
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