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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
Erin Blechman's Unexpected Journey; Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide
Today I share my conversation with fellow (suicide loss) bereaved mom, author & speaker Erin Blechman. We discuss her incredible son Max, life after suicide loss of a child and her book My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide. Everyone will have a takeaway from this one.....& Erin & I share so many of the same realities...including that hope does come back AND that time alone does not ‘fix’ anything (it’s what we do with that time that matters)!
In her own words:
"The loss of my Max has been devastating," shares Erin, " and it put me on the path to become an author, speaker, and certified Grief Educator. My goal is to elevate the conversation...and to help other bereaved parents deal with the loss of their own beloved child...In my book, 'My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide', I chronicle the eighteen months following the devastating loss of my beloved son, Max to suicide after his long battle with mental illness. I offer grief support to bereaved parents through online groups and community talks that seek to build greater understanding of mental illness, suicide, loss and grief. I live part-time in both Pennsylvania and Florida with her husband, Bill and Max’s dog, Emmylou".
Today, Erin & I discuss:
- Her unexpected turn into complicated grief & her journey in the 4 years since
- Who was Max? Does she signs?... and some favorite memories
- When she first felt the 'nudge' to help others - her path to becoming a grief advocate, educator & resource to others like herself.
- The vantage point that the book was written from & her intentions & hopes for the book.
- Grief Illiteracy - why is it so profound AND how do we change it?
- Where does she go now from here...?
GET HER BOOK HERE -- "My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide"
Follow Erin on:
Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
and on her WEBSITE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
For a way to leave a Legacy for your child - GO HERE
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out: CALL 988 OR, TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 i