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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
This is NOT a Suicide Prevention Podcast; Does that Even Matter?
Today I am feeling a bit feisty! I have been wanting to talk about this for a while. The Leftover Pieces:; Suicide Loss Conversations Podcast is NOT a suicide prevention podcast. And it is OKAY to say that. I support suicide prevention - naturally. And I often come alongside people to do prevention type work. That makes sense. BUT my podcast is for suicide loss survivors. The podcast is to have hard conversations and to try and help us make a meaningful life from the shattered pieces we have found ourselves sitting in... what used to be our life, and our future and everything that made sense.
Today I talk about:
- Why I am willing to say this outloud
- How we approach or see grief - let's talk about the history of grief
- Ancient philosophy and how that helps me (and could help you)
- (I get a little 'up on a pedestal in the end --- but I am not even sorry!)
The following is a list of ways (with links) that you might be able to be seen, heard and supported!
- My Dec.5 "Growth in Grief; Healing Trauma in our Mind, Body & Spirit" series - Go HERE for more info and to sign up Healing starts with knowledge! You can STILL ENROLL and catch up at your leisure!!
- The upcoming "Moms Legacy Compilation Project" - one of the biggest desires we have as a parent is that the world know our child. That their name is said, and their story known. there is also SO much healing to be had from this project. Check it out HERE.
- Upcoming Downloadables for various alternative healing modalities
- Upcoming new tools - the next 2 books are officially come - The HOPE series!
- Exciting new episode styles and a fun addition to the podcast in Jan.
If you are a mom, have you tried one of my support group options? This is not your typical 'support group'.... this is a welcoming and supportive community of friends, all walking this same path but not wanting to do it alone. Look at the options HERE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available. Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support. My first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:
CALL 988
OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USA
in Canada TEXT 686868
in the UK TEXT 85258