Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
In a previous post, I wrote about the Stages of Grief after suicide and how they relate to survivors (click here to revisit the post). I challenged the notion that these stages apply to a survivor in the same manner that they apply to someone who loses a loved one "naturally." As a psychotherapist, I understand that the stages are a blueprint to be used to help others understand their grief journey. However, as a survivor I continue to question ...
If I could contribute one thing to the world, it would be to assist with ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. I was not always so passionate about this topic. I haven't always been open about mental illness, nor have I always had the need to bring awareness to the subject. Slowly I have become more passionate, and it became more of a life mission after the loss of my father.
When I was in college, I dreamt of a life in corporate ...
My mother-in-law recently sent me this article, "Compassion Needed for the Suicidal," which provides a new perspective on suicide. I wanted to share this article with our readers. What I love most about the article is the perspective it gives on suicide and those who have died by suicide. So often in society we hear that the act of suicide is a choice. Suicide is viewed as a selfish act, as it leaves behind family members and loved ones asking ...
I'm writing this today in loving memory of my father on the two year anniversary of his passing. I still cannot believe that it has been two years since I last heard my father's voice. It has been two years since I felt his embrace, heard his laugh, or smiled at one of his many witty comments. It has been two years since I have called my father from a sporting event just to let him know that his little girl still loves her sports. Nothing in this ...
On the evening of December 27, 2011, my father was sitting at his desk in his childhood home. He heated up leftover lasagna and ate it while he typed an email to his best friend notifying him that he had decided to take his life. He sent his friend a text stating, "Please check your email." When my father's friend replied, "Rob, I do not see an email" and did not receive a response, he drove to my father's house only to find the email still ...
