CW: suicide loss, faith, existential grief Before my dad died, I had a worldview. We all do. I didn't actually think of it as a worldview — I just thought of it as reality. The way things were. The assumptions that ran underneath everything like the operating system of my life. And then he died by suicide, and the operating system crashed. This is one of the most jarring aspects of losing a loved one to suicide. It's as if what you believed before is in jagged little pieces,

Angry at someone who died by suicide? It's okay. CW: suicide loss, grief, anger There's an emotion that shows up after suicide loss that no one really talks about. Not sadness — everyone expects that. Not shock or confusion or even guilt. Those get airtime. I'm talking about anger. At them. The person you lost. The person you loved. The person who left. I was immediately furious at my dad after he died. It scared me. My brother can attest to hearing it as soon as he called to

CW: suicide, suicide loss, systemic failures, mental health One of the most painful things about losing someone to suicide isn't just the loss itself. It's the way the world talks about it afterward. They took the easy way out. It was selfish. They must not have been strong enough. I've heard all of these — sometimes from strangers, sometimes from people who should have known better. And every time, I want to ask (and have started poking, gently): Do you have any idea what yo

CW: suicide loss, grief, trauma responses No one told me grief would begin to live in my body or that it would impact my nervous system for the foreseeable future. Once I was able to accept what had happened, I expected the sadness. I expected the crying, the fog, the heaviness that makes getting out of bed feel like an athletic event. What I didn't expect was the way my body would change — the way it would start responding to the world differently, like it had been reprogram

CW: suicide loss, grief For a long time after my dad died, I was a detective. I replayed conversations. I analyzed text messages. I interrogated my own memories like a witness who couldn't keep her story straight. What did he say that Tuesday? Did his voice sound different? Was that comment a clue I missed? I wasn't just grieving. I was investigating. I thought if I could just figure out why, something would click into place. The chaos would organize itself into a narrative t

Content Warning: Suicide loss, grief, death You probably know someone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Actually, let me say that differently. More than 42% of American adults know someone who has died by suicide. That's nearly half of us. Over 48,000 Americans die by suicide every year. That means approximately 135 people today. And by some estimates, each suicide loss profoundly affects at least 135 other people. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Photo: Aaron

(Part 1 of 2) This two-part series explo res grief as sacred information rather than something to simply "get through." In Part 1, we'll look at what our personal and collective losses are trying to tell us. In Part 2, we'll explore how to work with grief as a teacher and guide toward healing. What if grief isn't something to get through, but something to listen to and to be guided by? Photo by Anthony Lim / Unsplash What can I say? We live in a culture that treats grief l

Content Warning: suicide loss Fourteen years ago, my world cracked open when my father died by suicide. I had just turned 27, and I didn't think I knew everything but I thought I had a pretty good idea of how life worked. I thought I knew who I was. Looking at my shattered worldview in front of me, I humbly realized I didn't know shit. To the Me Who Was Drowning Marshall. I see you there in your grief fog, barely able to string sentences together. The anxiety only made worse

May we mourn at any time we need without resistance or judgment. May our grief refresh and grow our rooted resilience. May our tears...

It was around this time last year when I lost a close friend. The pain of that loss is still pretty fresh, a wound that hasn't fully healed. But it's not just this loss that weighs heavily on my heart. Over the past several years, I've experienced a series of losses, including the sudden death of my father 13 years ago, the passing of several friends and most recently, my canine companion. Each loss has left its mark, creating a tapestry of grief that's complex and sometimes

Losing a beloved pet can be a devastating experience. The grief can be overwhelming, and many people find themselves in need of support....

CW: suicide loss Losing someone to suicide is one of the most painful experiences imaginable. The grief can feel like a relentless storm, battering your heart and soul. But I've learned that healing is possible, even when the pain seems unbearable, and learning the ways my particular self and system functions has helped me cope after suicide loss. Let me share what has helped me through this journey, from the depths of my heart. The grief of losing my dad to suicide in 2011

Companion animals are part of our families, plain and simple. The bonds we share with our furry, feathery, or scaly friends run deep. So...

I woke up thinking I might could borrow a bit more strength. If I was a betting person, I would bet I'm not the only one. Are you feeling...

The COVID-19 pandemic flipped our world upside down in so many ways - even shaking up the realm of health and wellness practices like...

Losing a loved one brings profound pain. Whether from death, a breakup, or changing life circumstances, grief expresses the depth of our...

Losing a loved one to suicide spurs countless questions around the “why” and “how”. In our search for answers, misunderstandings arise about factors leading to suicide. Myths can negatively impact those grieving and fuel stigma. By learning facts on suicide and sharing real stories, we gain insight for prevention while reducing misconceptions. Image by Md Abdul Rashid/Pixabay Six Myths About Suicide versus the Facts Myth #1: Suicide happens without warning signs. Fact: Most

In the silent aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide, emotions become a turbulent sea, with waves of guilt, anger, and profound grief crashing against the shores of our existence. This blog invites you to navigate the complex labyrinth of feelings that survivors grapple with in the wake of such a devastating loss. From the weight of self-blame to the isolating shadows of stigma, we embark on a journey through the heartache, shedding light on the common struggles that weav

As winter's embrace settles upon us, and the world seems to slow down, the Winter Solstice arrives as a symbol of both darkness and the promise of light. For those navigating the difficult journey of grief during this season, holiday joy may feel insurmountable and out of reach. Seeking solace in the Winter Solstice can be a source of comfort. This article provides winter solstice blessings for grieving. May this celestial event bring healing and gentle soothing to all beings

The winter season can be particularly challenging for survivors of suicide loss, as the shorter days and colder weather can amplify feelings of grief and sadness. However, incorporating specific tools and tricks into your daily routine can make a significant difference in navigating the winter blues. Image by Arek Socha/Pixabay I've found multiple ways to improve my winters after losing my father to suicide. I used to dread the winter and even the first signs of autumn and co