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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
Life After Suicide Life; It's O.K. to be Okay.
In life after suicide loss, we hear the words "it's okay to not be okay" as part of mental health or prevention campaigns and similar messages all of the time, right? Especially THIS month as September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (or is it just awareness -- or just prevention...? Ugh, right?). We can tackle that topic another day.
And it IS TRUE that it's okay to not be okay...it's an essential, to-the-point message to help empower people to speak up when they are not doing okay -- to let people know that "we got you" because life is hard, and we are all not okay from time to time (or even most of the time). Prevention is vital...but how does it all land with those left behind; those of us living in the aftermath of a devastating suicide?
This came up recently in my online mom support community. You see, we've come to realize that the journey after suicide loss is so complicated. It's a path filled with intense sadness, unanswerable questions, and overwhelming guilt. It's a struggle to even consider saying that you're 'okay' today. SO, what happens when you ARE okay (even if just for the moment, or day)? Can you say that you are? And just how is it received, how does it land - with others and even with ourselves??
You may not understand and wonder why this would be the case. Maybe you're nodding in agreement, eager to delve into this question with me. That's why I'm here -- to facilitate these discussions, encourage debate, and help us all navigate this 'after life' together.
Those of us living this 'after life' may know this (and so many more) duality exists, but it's a different story when it comes to unpacking some these challenges in our daily lives so we can grow forward, and others can come alongside us. We must not only destigmatize mental health and suicide, but also grief. That's why I'm here, ready to tackle these issues head-on and discuss the dualities of life after suicide loss.
Here is that exclusive COUPON CODE resources I mentioned
CLICK HERE or go through my website and just use code TLPPOD49
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Go to my WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 has finished & the last one is under way...GET ON THE LIST NOW for the SINGLE DATE start for 2025
For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE
If you, or someone you know, is struggling ww suicidal thoughts, reach out:
CALL 988 OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
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