Healing from Grief: The Journey of Suicide Survivors

It's a Tough Subject

Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org

Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/

Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/

About the Hosts:

Dennis Gillan is the Founder and Executive Director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. With a focus on mental health advocacy, Dennis promotes the proverb, "A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow," to drive home the importance of community in grief. He has a personal connection to his work, having lost two brothers to suicide, which he now uses as a driving force to help others through speaking and outreach initiatives.

Jessica Seel serves as our co-host and has made her misery her mission as well. Her day job focuses on promoting behavioral health policies and programs across rural communities. Jessica brings an intimate understanding of mental health issues, having lost her father to suicide at a young age.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful introductory episode, Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seel dive deep into their personal stories of loss and resilience. Both having lost close family members to suicide, they discuss the complexities of this unique form of grief, emphasizing the importance of community and open conversations about mental health. They aim to dismantle the stigma associated with suicide and provide a platform for survivors to share their experiences.

Dennis and Jessica also delve into the societal challenges surrounding mental health, particularly the shame and self-medication often tied to traumatic experiences. They highlight the contrast between the general public's recognition of physical illnesses and the lack of support for mental health struggles. This episode sets the stage for future discussions aimed at breaking the silence around mental health and building a supportive community for those affected.

Key Takeaways:

• The Importance of Sharing: "A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow." Sharing personal grief can significantly alleviate the burden.

• Complexity of Suicide Grief: Both Dennis and Jessica stress that suicide grief is uniquely complicated, often accompanied by a myriad of 'would have, could have, should have' questions.

• Resilience and Healing: Despite the pain, healing is possible, and discussing mental health openly can play a crucial role in recovery.

• Breaking Stigma: Both speakers call for a shift in societal attitudes, advocating for the same level of support for mental health issues as is given to physical illnesses.

• Community and Connection: The hosts emphasize the value of building supportive networks and using platforms like this podcast to foster dialogue and community support.

Notable Quotes:

• "A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow." — Dennis Gillan

• "Suicide comes with this baggage of would have, could have, and should have, and it stays with us for the rest of our lives." — Dennis Gillan

• "Healing is possible for folks like us." — Jessica Seal

• "Sometimes I want to go there and, like, cry it out. Other times, like, oh, not now. No, not now." — Dennis Gillan

• "Isolation can kill." — Jessica Seel

Resources:

Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org

Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/

Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/

Book "A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss" (book referenced by Dennis Gillan)