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 Speaker:

Dennis Gillan is the founder and executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. Driven by personal loss and a heartbreaking journey through grief, Dennis has dedicated his life to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. The Half a Sorrow Foundation focuses on providing resources, support, and education to combat loneliness and suicidal ideation, endeavoring to make a significant impact on public mental health.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and insightful episode, Dennis Gillan, the Founder and Executive Director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation, shares his deeply personal and professional journey in dealing with mental health issues, particularly relating to suicide and loneliness. With a focus on raising awareness and providing solutions, Dennis delves into the alarming statistics of loneliness and suicide globally and his efforts through the Half a Sorrow Foundation to create connection and support systems.

Dennis paints a stark picture of loneliness by referencing both a poignant Japanese documentary, “Dying Alone,” and notable actions taken by other countries, such as the appointment of a “minister of loneliness” in the United Kingdom. Drawing upon extensive research and personal experiences, Dennis discloses alarming data from an extensive survey on American loneliness and underscores the detrimental health effects that mirror those of smoking. He offers tangible strategies to combat loneliness, emphasizing real-world interactions, community engagement, and professional help. This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to connect and support each other in a world where loneliness can have fatal consequences.

Key Takeaways:

• Global Issue: Loneliness is a significant problem worldwide, underscored by Japan’s “Kodokushi” phenomenon and the UK’s appointment of a “minister of loneliness.”

• Alarming Statistics: Nearly 46% of Americans feel alone sometimes or always, highlighting an urgent public health concern that equates loneliness with the detrimental effects of smoking.

• Practical Solutions: Engage in real-life social interactions, reduce the number of strangers in your life, and seek professional help if needed.

• Take Action: Simple acts like volunteering, signing up for classes, and breaking bread with others can profoundly impact combating loneliness.

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)

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: Dennis Gillan is the Founder and Executive Director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation, an organization committed to suicide prevention and supporting survivors of suicide loss. With a personal history of losing two brothers to suicide, Dennis brings a deeply personal and passionate perspective to the cause. Through the foundation, he conducts talks, provides resources, and advocates for mental health awareness.

Jessica Seel: 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 enlightening episode of the "It's a Tough Subject" podcast, hosts Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seel delve into the nuances of surviving suicide loss, mental health challenges, and the importance of community support. They begin with a solemn reminder of the gravity of the topic, emphasizing the need for awareness, empathy, and proactive measures in the face of rising suicide rates in America.

Throughout the conversation, Dennis and Jessica explore key themes such as the impact of losing a loved one to suicide, the significance of self-care, and the multifaceted approach required in mental health treatment. They recount personal anecdotes that highlight the ripple effects of suicide and discuss how initiatives like the Camo Hat Club are fostering supportive spaces for men to discuss their mental health openly.

Key Takeaways:

• Family Impact: The profound effect of suicide on surviving family members is discussed, emphasizing the need for community and familial support during such trying times.

• Self-Care Importance: Jessica and Dennis stress the essential role of self-care and personal wellbeing in managing mental health, sharing their own strategies and experiences.

• Community Support: The role of support groups like the Camo Hat Club in providing a safe space for individuals, particularly men, to express their struggles and receive peer support.

• Education & Advocacy: Highlighting the shortage of mental health professionals, they call for better support systems and educational initiatives to encourage more people to enter the field.

• Suicide Risk Factors: A discussion on various risk factors for suicide, including family history and transitional periods, and how being aware of these can help in prevention efforts.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I lost two brothers to suicide. One when I was 20, Matthew when I was 31." - Dennis Gillan

2. "When it comes down to it...I do want to believe that if we had had more support from our community, things might have been different." - Jessica Seel

3. "Mental health and suicide is a complicated problem, and it takes a complicated solution." - Dennis Gillan

4. "It's okay to do that, to take care of ourselves, to have a little self-care." - Jessica Seel

5. "We need more than just providers. We need camo hat clubs in every county." - Jessica Seel

Resources:

• The Half a Sorrow Foundation: Learn more about Dennis's mission, book talks, and find resources.