Email Melissa

Resources for You; Help Along the Way

Resources to help you find the support you need and to get you connected to other suicide loss grievers and communities. You will also find Podcast, Apps & Media to interact with. My recommended reading list includes Books, Journals & Cards. I've also provided a list of professionals offering Support, Healing & Coaching, and lastly some incredibly helpful National Organizations.

CLICK the category BUTTONS BELOW to go directly to those resource sections.

Download a version of the guide FREE, “Facing Life After Suicide Loss”. May it serve as a a life-raft in the storm - a survival tool - created just parents and families, in the days, weeks and months after suicide loss. 

Get Free Version of Guide HERE

Enjoy real books? You may also order a printed copy (expanded version) and any other books, journals and products - as seen in photo and found on Amazon

Get the Amazon Books HERE

Find Comfort & Connection with items designed specifically for grievers AND one-of-a-kind artisan pieces to memorialize our loved ones 

GO to SHOP HERE

The Leftover Pieces; Suicide Loss Conversations Podcast

Listen to conversations of loss and grief after suicide. This podcast is about surviving life after suicide loss which nothing short of a wasteland of the leftover pieces of your shattered heart. As the host, Melissa, a mother who lost her 21-year old son Alex to suicide in 2016, has real conversations with other loss survivors, healers and mental health experts. There are also shorter. solo episodes where she shares her own thoughts & experiences in this journey so far. She explores relevant topics and asks the hard questions we all need to talk about and hear answers to. Nothing is 'off limit' as she delves into all areas of this grief such as trauma, hope, healing, self-care, & stigma. Melissa believes that we learn to live alongside our grief, not get over it. 

Melissa wants to help others, like herself, go from surviving to finding a life with meaning, maybe even happiness, amid their own leftover pieces.

All There Is with Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper takes us on a deeply personal exploration of loss and grief. He starts recording while packing up the apartment of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Going through her journals and keepsakes, as well as things left behind by his father and brother, Cooper begins a series of emotional and moving conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on - with loss, with laughter, and with love.

Scattering CJ the Film

When seemingly happy, travel-infatuated CJ Twomey violently ended his own life at age 20, his family was plunged into unrelenting grief and guilt. In a moment of desperate inspiration, his mother Hallie put out an open call on Facebook, looking only for a handful of travelers who might help fulfill her son's wish to see the world by scattering some of his ashes in a place of beauty or special meaning. 

Scattering CJ had its World Premiere at the Camden International Film Festival in September 2019 and will continue to screen and raise awareness for suicide prevention in communities around the world

(Resource for ALL survivors and awareness advocates)

Insight Timer YOGA App 

#1 FREE app for sleep, anxiety and stress.

This is a GREAT place for meditations, sleep help, sound healings, music, etc. 

(Resource for ALL survivors )

Not Allowed to Die Podcast with Dan Maigler

As a therapist I have only one rule: you are not allowed to die. On this podcast I will answer questions about therapy, mental health, coaching, or anything else folks want to pick my brain about. I bring 20 years and over 1000 clients worth of experience and hopefully some humor.

Grief Seeds Podcast 

Intuitive Grief Guide and author Shelby Forsythia offers insights, reframings, metaphors, and visualizations to plants seeds for your healing in life after loss. Because even through grief, we are growing.

(Resource for all survivors - host lost her mother to cancer)

Two Inches Off the Ground Podcast

Join the amazing host J. India for an awesome adventure where the metaphysical meets the practical.

Being enlightened is just like the everyday experience but two inches off the ground, says Zen master D.T. Suzuki. In this podcast, join the collective consciousness to raise your vibration and begin to live your life two inches off the ground.

(Metaphysical Resource for ALL) 

Good Mourning Grief Podcast

"Through our podcast and Instagram community, our purpose is to provide comfort for others who’ve experienced loss, or be a helpful resource for those supporting someone who is going through a difficult time. Whether you have experienced a big loss, or are somebody's support person, or just want to prepare yourself for when grief strikes, our content will educate and inspire you. This is candid talk for modern grief."
- Co-hosts Imogen & Sally

(Resource for all survivors - both hosts lost their moms and one of the co-hosts lost her mom to suicide in 2020)

Suggested Reading for Suicide Loss Grievers

(All are linked to Amazon but many may be available on Audible as well) 

 

A Survival Guide: A Guide to Help through the Early Days by Melissa Bottorff-Arey

The Story of Your Survival; A Guided Journal to Navigate these Dark, Stormy Days by Melissa Bottorff-Arey

It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Divine

What Suicide Left Behind by Linzi Meaden

Goodnight, Mr. Vincent Van Gogh by Lindsey Doolittle (a must if you for children)

Your Grief, Your Way: A Year of Practical Guidance and Comfort After Loss by Shelby Forsythia

Permission to Grieve: Creating Grace, Space, & Room to Breathe in the Aftermath of Loss by Shelby Forsythia

Diary of a Broken Mind AND Emotionally Naked - Both Books by AnneMoss Rogers 

You're Not Crazy, You're Grieving by Kelli Nielsen

Shattered: From Grief to Joy After My Son's Suicide by Rebecca Tervo

Grief Reiki  by Sharon Ehlers

Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief by Joanne Caccitore

Mount Hope a fiction novel of Hate & Healing by Kellie Woolf  (former podcast guest & grieving mom)

 

LINKS to ALL of the Resources listed in "A Survival Guide; Facing Life After Suicide Loss"

What to Do When Someone Dies: A Checklist (from Ever Loved)
Your To-Do List After a Loved One Dies from VeryWellHealth
The "I've Lost Someone" Page on AFSP.com 
Grief Support for Suicide Loss Survivors  from S.A.V.E.org
After a Suicide Resource Directory from PersonalGriefCoach.net
Zoom online web portal for meetings and more connections
No One Should Be Blamed for Suicide by N.A.M.I.
Fingerprint Jewelry and Keepsakes by Legacy Touch
The Ties That Bind Us: Personal Stores at N.A.M.I.
Top Chef Meals Customizable Prepared Meals. No subscription. No commitments
Freshly: Balanced meals for busy lives. Delivered to you fresh, not frozen
What Does Grief Mean? by LovesLivesOn
INSIGHT TImer App: LIVE Yoga from the worlds best teachers ALSO for MEDITATION and more 

A COMMUNITY FOR HEALING AFTER
ADDICTION, SUICIDE, OR SUDDEN LOSS

Peer Support for Healing Broken Hearts

Integrative Grief Care, Support Groups and Additional Services 

The Love of an Animal

Paws for Patrick connects emotional support animals (ESAs) and therapy dogs with people living with mental illness.

Created to honor the memory of Patrick Roemer, a Lake Forest teen who lived with anxiety and depression for most of his life.

Our Mission is to Save Military Lives!

HicksStrong Inc. aims to do this by linking veteran & active-duty service members with confidential mental health therapists via telehealth and we cover up to 24 sessions. 

(Resource for military survivors and awareness advocates - especially military, veterans or family)

Honor Connor | Hold Onto Hope

is a non-profit that exists to provide hope & healing to those who’s loved ones have died by suicide.

Their Mission is to provide hope and healing….and to stop the stigma and start the conversation around mental health, addiction and suicide prevention.

Beginners and Grievers Yoga. Nourishing, Body, Mind & Soul.

Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is about what you learn on the way down.... it can be yours too.

Erin is a passionate Yoga teacher who has been practicing and teaching since 2009. Her classes are trauma-informed and are gentle and mindful. She also holds grief retreats in Mexico.

Paradisium by Linzi Meaden 

This is 'The Paradisium Tree of Hope & Healing'
An Online Programme
How To Let Go of Guilt, Anxiety & Overwhelm After Suicide Loss 

Your Wellbeing Matters. 
When we experience traumatic loss and complex grief, it's critical that we look after ourselves more than ever before. 

Dr. Lenore Matthew, PhD, MSW

Dr. of Social Work | Evidential Psychic Medium | Evolving Young Widow
Evidence-based Mind-Body-Spirit

Trauma & Grief Specialist * Evidential Psychic Medium  * Young Widow & Survivor of Suicide Loss

Melding science and spirit to help you heal through trauma and grief, and find your soul path forward.

Rebecca Jax Holistic Healing

Rebecca is an Integrative Somatic Trauma therapist specialising in guiding those impacted by Traumatic Grief and Suicide Loss. She works with various potent Holistic Healing Modalities that meet on all levels of Mind, Body and Soul.

Rebecca is also a Breathwork Healer and Kundalini Activation Facilitator living in Bali.

Her biggest passion and mission in this life is to help others heal, guide them home to themselves and become self-resourced mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

A Community for Suicide Loss Survivors

As a Certified Neurocoach™ who has successfully completed the ILCT Grief Coaching course, Caro can give clients permanent transformations.

Look for help in the community that she has built with other people who are trying to make life worth living again.

Helping families who’ve lost loved ones turn their pain into purpose.

Kelli is on a mission to make the world a better place by teaching people to move forward on purpose, in purpose. Find relief from grief through our Grief Relief Nation where learning and encouragement meet.

AFSP National Website 

“I’ve Lost Someone” 

With AFSP, you are not alone. Whether you have struggled with suicide yourself or have lost a loved one, know you are not alone. Hear about personal experiences from people in your local community whose lives have been impacted by suicide. 

(Resource for ALL survivors and awareness advocates)

N.A.M.I. 

Suicide Survivors; The ties that bind us

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

(Resource for ALL survivors and awareness advocates)

Active Minds

Changing the Conversation about Mental Health

Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults

They are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.

Together, we’re changing and saving lives

The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow.

The Trevor Project

We’re here for you.

We provide information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.

Reach out to one of our trained counselors.

Call, text, or chat with us anytime you need support. If you are thinking about suicide, or feeling lonely, we’re here to listen.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

works to prevent, treat, and cure anxiety disorders and depression.

ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through the alignment of science, treatment, and education.

Lose a loved one to suicide by firearm? 

The Everytown Survivor Network is a nationwide community of survivors.

Survivors working together to end gun violence. The Survivor Network connects survivors to each other, amplifies the power of survivor voices, offers trauma-informed programs, provides information on direct services, and supports survivors who choose to become advocates.

(Resource for ALL survivors and awareness advocates - especially those who have been impacted by firearm loss)

The Ollie Foundation

OLLIE is a charity dedicated to delivering suicide awareness, intervention and prevention training by empowering professionals and young adults in their own communities to lead suicide prevention activities.

 

Stay Connected

 

Get resources, motivation, and guided activities delivered to your inbox: