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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
Hope, Healing & Connection; Julie Halpert of Garrett’s Space
Today, in talking about life after suicide loss, I am releasing a recent chat with Julie Halpert - Garrett's mom, journalist, and co-founder of Garrett's Space. Tragically, Garrett died by suicide at 23 years old in 2017...He was incredibly bright, loved & talented. And Garrett struggled with his mental health on and off for years. These things came together as the inspiration for the work of Garrett's Space - a suicide prevention nonprofit.
They were about to 'break ground' at our recording on the physical facility near Ann Arbor, Michigan. This upcoming facility, along with the programs that Garrett's Space has been holding, is a beacon of hope for those struggling with their mental health.
Garrett's Space has been holding programs (online with monthly social gatherings) for young people to support their mental health. The upcoming 10,000-square-foot residential center, along with the 2000-square-foot creativity studio, is a testament to the incredible support of the community. The whole point, as Julie emphasizes, is to create a very homelike atmosphere. They are even working with a leading-class architect specializing in trauma-informed design, and they will. They also plan to offer this on a sliding scale; there'll be a service fee, but it should be available for anyone regardless of their ability to pay. The whole community has really rallied around this, and it is an incredible asset for the whole area there in Michigan.
This is an incredible episode, and it was my honor to have this conversation with Julie. Learn a bit more, and find the links below.
"Julie Halpert is an award-winning journalist, writing articles for dozens of widely read media outlets, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, covering many topics. She also teaches an environmental journalism course at the University of Michigan. She is the co-founder with her husband, Scott, of Garrett's Space, a suicide prevention nonprofit."
Be sure to go to their website below, and don't miss the incredible video of Garrett while you are there!
The Dinner Party (her daughter's community connection & mental health forward endeavor)
And, yes, we spoke about the SIBLING SUPPORT group in my community (click the link to find all support groups I have, including for moms and siblings -- spousal group in the planning)
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" is support central.
PS....The Legacy Writing Project in 2024 has finished. Volume 5 is out in the world ...GET ON THE LIST NOW for the SINGLE DATE start for 2025 OR FUTURE PROJECTS
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 in the US or Canada OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA & Canada