In this episode, I have a conversation with the lovely Lisa Sugarman. We discuss Lisa's personal experiences with suicide loss and the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health and grief. Lisa shares with us her journey of discovering her father's suicide 35 years after his death and how it changed her perspective on mental illness. We also discuss the power of storytelling and vulnerability in creating safe spaces for healing and support. In this conversation, Lisa also provides advice on how to support someone who is suicidal, emphasizing the importance of being direct, honest, and helping them find the professional help they need. She shares insights on supporting mental health, highlighting the significance of small, consistent actions and daily habits. Lisa also talks about her work as a storyteller for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she shares her own experiences and provides hope and connection to others.

Takeaways

• Normalizing conversations about mental health and suicide loss is crucial in combating stigma and providing support.
• Finding purpose in pain and using personal experiences to help others can be a powerful form of healing.
• Knowledge and understanding are key in changing attitudes towards mental illness and suicide.
• Creating safe spaces for vulnerability and sharing stories can help individuals feel less alone and provide support in their healing journey. Use language that is sensitive and respectful when talking about suicide, replacing 'committed suicide' with 'died by suicide' or 'took their life'.
• When supporting someone who is suicidal, be direct, honest, and help them find the professional help they need.
• Supporting mental health involves small, consistent actions and daily habits, such as practicing gratitude, prioritizing self-care, and engaging in meaningful conversations.
  Storytelling can provide hope and connection for those experiencing mental health challenges or grief, and organizations like NAMI offer platforms for sharing personal stories.

You can stay in touch with her and find all her invaluable resources on her website. http://www.lisasugarman.com

If you are grieving right now, you are not alone. You can order a copy of my bestselling book Even If-A Holistic Approach to Living A Joy Filled Life With Loss on amazon by clicking here.

https://amzn.to/3x5Qbd8

If you are a fellow grieving mamma and would like to know more about Holistic Grief Academy, my coaching program you can click here

https://holisticgriefacademy.myflodesk.com/prei7fpydj

PS. I would love to stay connected. You can follow me on Instagram @mrsshaunadukes or head over to ShaunaDukes.com for a free ebook on how to support a grieving friend.