Ep. 11 Richard Stansbury on losing a parent to suicide and finding a way to forgiveness

This episode starts with Richard Stansbury reading his heart-wrenching eulogy to his father. 

Richard says his father had been desperately searching for years, and had spent most of his life running from himself until he could no longer cope with the pain he experienced everyday. 

In this episode of Human Cogs, hosts Sabina Read and Madeleine Grummet explore the often taboo topic of suicide, the intergenerational impact of secrets, shame and mental illness in Richard’s family, and his own journey to find forgiveness and empathy for his father.

Richard now accepts there was nothing he could have done to save his Dad, and that finding ways to manage his own depression and suicidal thoughts is the way forward to change the cycle and the story for his family. 

This is a pretty raw conversation of transition and despair, and lays bare the emotional and turbulent human experience of depression and what happens in the wake of losing a parent to suicide.

Conversations about suicide are uncomfortable, but suicide is a topic that touches many, and an issue we all need to address. If this episode is distressing or triggering, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Guest: Richard Stansbury
RUOK day. Reach out to someone and ask R U OK?
World Suicide Prevention Day. Learn more here.

Hosts: Sabina Read and Madeleine Grummet
Producer: Daryl Missen at Purple Wax

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