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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
Why I Do This; Let Me Share My Reasons
Today, I go "down the rabbit hole" again. I specifically wanted to talk to you about why I do this podcast; why I do all of the things I do in the area of suicide loss and grief. In the simplest version I could just say "because I lost my son Alex to suicide" and while that is of course the catalyst, my motivation and reasons run so far beyond that. Thank you for giving me a safe space to share and for listening - because connecting with other loss survivors, means more than I can say. If I can provide hope, or comfort, or shred of healing to even one of you... that is why I do this. if you get to know Alex even a little through me ... that too, is why I do this.
So, as I share in this episode, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS (no later than Sept 15) my website "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" will be LIVE and that means my first coaching options will be available. The first (3 month) group is planned to begin Sept 29, so stay tuned and then there will be a new group start every 3 months. There WILL be limited spots in each group so let me know if you want on the notify list! These groups will be one part community, one part hope/healing. I believe these two things are intertwined for us in the earlier stages of grief especially.
This coaching has been a long time in coming grievers. I knew, in my heart, that this was my WHY about a year and a half ago … then I set out on the next stage of my healing/learning journey. I am so, so ready to be able to serve this community in an expanded capacity. I have gained a lot through my lived experiences, but also through my certifications (with more to come). Please DM me on Instagram or email me at anytime melissa@theleftoverpieces.com
The website will be at www.theleftoverpieces.com (naturally, right?)
Keep an eye out - even book mark it & check back in a few weeks (there IS a holding page with "coming soon" there now) !!
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Please reach out to me if you know of someone that I should talk to or if you yourself would like to have a conversation around the suicide loss and grief space. Instagram is probably still the best way to contact me or directly through email. I am already scheduling people into this FALL so it's not too soon to reach out!
Let's have a conversation Let's keep talking Let's be there for each other. Let's make a change. TALK SOON!
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out & talk to someone
The National Suicide Lifeline is there for you
IN a crisis you can also TEXT--->
TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258
And Grievers, I am always here. You can find me on Instagram at The Leftover