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
Jill Cowan of Healing to the Max; Narrative Therapy and Healing After Suicide Loss
Today I share my conversation with the amazing Jill Cowan, Max's mom, who lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. Their family was devastated, and their lives shattered. "Jill is a fellow survivor parent, having lost her beloved son, Maximilian (Max) in March of 2015. Max was just 16 years old. She is also the mother of two surviving children, Zachary and Neave-Marie, a surrogate mommy to Jinx the cat, and wife to a fiery Scottish man, Brian. Jill blogs about navigating her journey of survivorship, and loves all things related to art, fashion and adventure! Jill was a preschool teacher, a daycare provider and now works at the local Ronald McDonald House, supporting sick children and their parents who have extended hospital stays. She loves to travel and someday would like to revisit her roots in the sports of karate and dance. "
Today Jill and I discussing:
- Max's admission of depression, their (great) response to it and the outcome of suicide only 5 months later
- Grief and love and the dualities and complications
- Narrative Therapy - what it is and why it helps grievers of traumatic loss SO much.
- Fighting the Stigma - Talking about Suicide is helpful, not harmful with youth!
- Mental health deficiencies - in Canada and the U.S.
- And So. Much. More!
What they do, who they are, is best described in her own words straight from their website:
"Healing to The Max. Inc. is a compassionate community of support for those who have suffered a traumatic loss by suicide. Our programs of hope and healing are the first of their kind, having been written by a combination of professionals and survivors of a traumatic loss by suicide. They are based on a strong foundation of Narrative Therapy, which is easily adaptable to allow for all cultural nuance's to be adapted. It moves away from the traditional belief that you must achieve closure to heal, and instead, invites to practice the art of "Saying Hello, Again". We keep the connection going far beyond the structured programmes ... while they "Learn to live with grief and joy, hand in hand."
Find Healing to the Max (.org) HERE
INSTAGRAM HERE
FACEBOOK HERE
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PS....LAST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project for 2023 starting August 16 (sign ups close at week 2 Aug 23) BUT you can get on the wait list for January anytime!
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.
The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM 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