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Grief and Loss, Suicide Loss Survivors

“Pain is Inevitable – Suffering is Optional.”

MomofMandJ

Pain and suffering are not the same things. This graphic shows how emotional pain (not physical pain) is a natural response to an emotionally disturbing event. Suffering is our response to the event with negative self-talk and actions intended to avoid or numb the pain we feel. We can keep filling that suffering portion of the graphic up with unhealthy coping mechanisms and negative self-talk, but none of them ever address the actual feelings that have caused our pain. In fact, negative self-talk may be another way we avoid feeling the actual pain. 

Grief and Loss, Suicide Loss Survivors

Ashley Judd on Mental Illness, Her Mother’s Death & The Importance of Grief Support

MomofMandJ

Nobody’s grief process looks exactly the same. It’s personal, specific, and often, private — which is why today’s tender conversation is such a privilege. David speaks with actress and activist Ashley Judd on the recent death of her mother, as well as her experiences of sexual assault and abuse.

Grief and Loss, Suicide Loss Survivors

Guilt vs Regret

MomofMandJ

Guilt is a common and often overpowering feeling for survivors. There is a difference between guilt and regret  Our friend Patricia often shares her insightful distinction between the word "guilt" survivors mistakenly place on themselves and "regret" which more accurately expresses what they are feeling. Here is an article on that important distinction for survivors.

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The Grief Process: How do we Know if we are Progressing?

MomofMandJ

During our group meetings, members often express that they can't tell if they are progressing in their grief process or just going in circles. While progress in anything in life… Continue reading The Grief Process: How do we Know if we are Progressing?

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Book by our Group Member Erin Blechman

MomofMandJ

My Unexpected Journey: Reflections after Losing My Son to Suicide, Written by fellow survivor and our group member Erin Blechman, My Unexpected Journey is a collection of reflections written following the death of the author's son, Max, to suicide in June 2020.

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How to Deal with Regret

MomofMandJ

We all have hopes and dreams of what we have wanted to accomplish in life, yet most of the time your life is not quite the picture you painted for yourself. Missing out on life and opportunities can create personal discontent, depression and often isolation. The list of things you haven't done can be compelling and overwhelm you.

Then you might realize something: You are not that person anymore, and in another second, you will again be someone new. Letting go of the weight of past regrets gives you a better chance of becoming who you want to be today.