Child Loss by Suicide; How Parents Heal (aka: it IS possible to heal)

Explicit content warning

02/13/23 • 28 min

The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations

Today, I go "Down the Rabbit Hole" to discuss that illusive concept of healing after losing a child to suicide. And while today I do specifically address how a parent is affected & heals-- I strongly believe that any loss survivor will find nuggets that apply to other losses as well. (And you will want to listen ALL the way to the end)
When I lost my 21-year-old son Alex to suicide in 2016 my world was shattered. If someone had told me I would -- or even that I could -- heal, I may have not received it so positively.... UNLESS it was another parent that had been there! Other parents that were "ahead" of me in this journey were my biggest inspiration and motivation for pushing myself and choosing to chase joy after that first year (aka the Survival Year). It is my wish that this episode can offer you the hope you need right now.
Today I talk about:

Gathering up your 'leftover pieces' to start rebuilding after child loss by suicide.
The first year - Survival
The second year - Hope
The third year - Healing
And what is beyond those first three years - I will do a deeper dive there someday.

_____________________________________________

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 AmazonIf 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

Support the show

Gathering up your 'leftover pieces' to start rebuilding after child loss by suicide.
The first year - Survival
The second year - Hope
The third year - Healing
And what is beyond those first three years - I will do a deeper dive there someday.

_____________________________________________

Support the show

Previous Episode

Facing Choices After Loss; Purpose Over Despair with Carey Conley

Today I have a poignant conversation with a suicide loss wife AND mom. She has refocused her life's coaching mission from business coaching to a mental health centered coaching business. She helps professionals in areas of anxiety & stress & mental health wellness now. Reducing suicide by having hard conversations & better equipping people to manage their stress is now her mission. It is a great conversation. Thank you for joining us.

Find her at CareyConley.com
Read more about her here:
"Carey Conley was born and raised in Denver, CO. She now splits her time between Arizona and Oklahoma to spend time with her Daughter Laurel 27 and grand-son Pryce 1. Carey’s experience of growing successful sales and marketing businesses for 20 years while raising her kids is an achievement on its own. She now owns her coaching practice Infinity Corporation for over Ten years and has helped hundreds around the country and the world gain momentous success. She also co-authored a Bestselling book called ‘Keep Looking Up’ in 2019.

Carey Conley’s personal story is full of extraordinary success and devastating tragedy. She lost her husband and son to suicide 3 years apart and was able to be strong for her daughter and to live her purpose that became her driving force. Those are the experiences that bring power to her message and help others achieve what they never thought was possible. Carey found her passion and ability to help men and women create, develop, and execute a rock-solid, bigger-than-life vision that propels them to succeed in all areas of life, including self-love, financial prosperity, a healthy lifestyle, caring relationships, a strong family, supreme confidence, and spiritual connection.

Carey Conley now travels the world and the country to Virtual and Live events helping men and women professionally and personally build their self-empowering skills by using her vision methodology. She shows them how to shed past pain, fear, and hardship, in order to manifest a beautiful life that’s within reach."
Find Carey, her podcast & her book... & everything she does at CareyConley.com_____________________________________________

Support the show

Next Episode

A Roundtable Discussion; 8 Brave Moms Speak about Grief, Healing & their Amazing Kids

Today's episode is 8 x as special --- because you will hear from EIGHT moms, it is A LONG EPISODE SO BUCKLE UP -- but it's soooo worth it!!! These ladies are near & dear to my heart as they are all a part of my all-access membership community. These ladies are between 11 months & 3 years in their journey of life after the suicide loss of their child. This community has absolutely surpassed any hopes I had when I started it... these women interact daily & meet weekly plus they get to peek at products early & gain special discounts as new projects & classes roll out. They welcome every new mom with tender hearts & open arms.....
Find out more, or join our mom's community of Super Support HERE
In this episode you will hear from:
Vickie - Calvin (31); Cerita - Gage (17); Kerilyn - Taylor (22); Betty - Tyberius (32); Barb - Donavon (16); Marcie - Kara (23); Crystal - Taylor (18); Rachel -Jane (20)

We talk about our loss, healing and community after loss. And while I know this is a group of moms, I do think that there is great wisdom and nuggets for anyone in this episode!
Watch for UPCOMING ROUNDTABLES with Siblings, Friends and (hopefully) Dads.
Some Links of things that were mentioned in this episode:

EMDR
Tim Braun - medium, book and more
Peyton Heart Project (Vickie calls them 'joy bombs)
Alliance for Hope
Faith's Lodge
Eric's House
Paul Denniston / Grief yoga
Dr. Peter Levine - Somatic Experiencing
Dr. David Kessler - Grief.com
Totally Got Out of Bed Podcast
Disney Pixar movie "Inside Out"
Rebecca Jax Healing
The Body Keeps the Score Book

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