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
Is "Suicide Prevention" the Right Messaging; What ARE the Alternatives?
Today I go "down the rabbit hole" to discuss a topic many of us suicide loss survivors discuss often -- Suicide Prevention -- and what DOES it mean? It sure comes off as shameful more than helpful a lot -- or does it? Are we just too sensitive?? Well, I don't think so, BUT I also think we have to lead the effort to change the messaging because most people in charge of it -- just don't get it, for a good reason - they haven't experienced a suicide loss - so, "we" have to be willing to lead the charge in making a change.... right?
This is a starting point of how I feel, and I hope to do a deeper dive on this topic with a guest in the near future. There is so very much to think about and the topic is complicated but so necessary. We need to promote mental health empowerment and have a counter-shame culture. We need less judgement and more tolerance. We need less complication and more openness. We need to be tolerant and sensitive and kind.
Also see the links below to check out all of the NEW things happening here at the Leftover Pieces. Talk soon! - Melissa
______________________________________________________________________
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