Joanne Harpel on Coping After Suicide Loss

I had such a great discussion with Joanne Harpel for this episode. We talk about a really difficult topic today: coping after losing a loved one to suicide. It seems that many people are uncomfortable talking about death in general … and even more uncomfortable when talking about suicide. This is a topic we haven’t specifically covered yet on the show, although it’s come up sometimes in the context of broader conversations, and I’ve had requests from listeners to talk about it. I’m so grateful that Joanne was willing to come on the show and speak with us about it now, during Suicide Prevention Month. She’s an internationally renowned expert on the topic, and has so much good information to share with us.

Some topics Joanne and I discuss include:

• Some ways suicide loss differs from other types of loss;

• Tips for answering the inevitable questions from people;

• How suicide loss can be complicated for families;

• Why it’s important to be honest with kids about suicide loss, rather than attempting to hide it from them;

• How Joanne explained her brother’s suicide to her son when he was three;

• The fact that it is safe to ask someone a direct question about whether they are suicidal;

• How the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can help someone who is feeling suicidal, or can help a family member / friend who is concerned about a loved one;

• What the crisis text line is, and how it can help; and

• The support groups that Joanne runs on zoom for survivors of suicide loss.

I hope you enjoy my discussion with Joanne Harpel.

Links & resources for this episode

• Coping After Suicide, LLC

• Rethink the Conversation

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Grief After Suicide: The Impact on Families (Association for Death Education & Counseling, January 2014)

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

• Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741

More links for listeners

• Download: Kids & Grief: What You Need to Know

• Article: I’m a Widowed Mom: Here Are My 3 Tips for COVID-19 Widows

• Book: Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another

Thank you sponsors & partners:

Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk

BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent

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