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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
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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