Recently I have been re-reading Megan Devine’s book, It’s OK That You’re Not OK. As is often the case when I return to a book or podcast, I find that something always seems to land a little differently with me. This time, what really stood out was Devine’s discussion...
September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month During September, we take the time to pause and remember the lives lost to suicide, to support those who are struggling, and to remind each other that hope is always possible. For me, this month carries deep personal...
Our stories are at the heart of our grief journeys – the stories of our loss, the stories of our love, the bitter-sweet stories of our sadness and remembrance. We tell the stories again and again. They evolve as we do. Healing comes so slowly, in such small...
Here we are in the midst of summertime. The days are long, the sun is shining, and there is a strong desire to enjoy the long days and the chance to take a much-needed vacation. Even though in Phoenix, the weather is so terribly hot, we still see families packing for...
Butterflies have long been associated with loss and sightings are often seen as signs that loved ones remain nearby. When we think of a butterfly, we picture beauty, flight and freedom. But before any of that is possible, there’s a long, hidden process that takes...
Those of us who have supported someone we care about through mental health or addiction struggles understand the transition from prevention strategies to intervention. If only we could make them see – where this could lead, how deeply they are cared for . . . how much...
After my son Eric died by suicide, I entered a world I didn’t know existed—a world filled with sorrow, silence, and stigma. I quickly learned that grief after suicide or overdose is different. It’s not just about missing the person you love; it’s about carrying the...
Peace might feel like an impossible word when your heart has been shattered by the loss of someone you love…especially when that loss comes through suicide or substance use. Peace can seem like something that other people get to feel…something out of reach when the...
Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, said: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” I find insights into many people’s grief journeys, including my own, in this declaration. From the moment it starts, that pivotal moment where we...
In the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide or overdose, the weight of our grief can feel unbearable. We may long for hope and reassurance that healing can occur even as we doubt that such a future exists. Indeed, hope isn’t a feeling we can conjure or grasp...
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