Joanne Harpel on Coping After Suicide Loss (ENCORE EPISODE)

The Widowed Parent Podcast

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.

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