Suicide Loss and Parenting: Why Doing Everything Right Doesn’t Always Prevent Tragedy

What happens when a parent does “everything right” — early intervention, therapy, open communication — and still loses their child to suicide?

In this deeply moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Jeanie shares the story of her son Jake, a brilliant and compassionate young man whose struggles with depression and bipolar disorder began in childhood. Despite 19 years of love, support, and open conversations about his pain, Jake’s life ended by suicide at age 26.

Through Jeanie’s story, we confront the painful reality that suicide isn’t always preventable — even when parents are vigilant, compassionate, and proactive. Together with co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz, we explore how parents can live with that knowledge, why stigma must be broken, and how to support families carrying this unthinkable loss.

This is not just a story about loss — it’s about resilience, truth-telling, and honoring the full lives of those we love.

Primary Topics Covered:

• The challenges of parenting a child with depression and bipolar disorder
• Why early intervention and open communication matter — even if outcomes don’t change
• The emotional toll of living for years with fear of losing a child to suicide
• Understanding that suicide is not the parent’s fault
• The importance of honest conversations about mental illness and suicidal thoughts
• How turning pain into advocacy (#CheckOnYourFriends) can create community impact

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why these stories matter
 01:24 – Where podcast guests come from and why conversations matter
 02:13 – The bumper sticker that led to today’s story (#CheckOnYourFriends)
 03:28 – Remembering Jake: his brilliance, humor, and compassion
 05:12 – Early signs of depression and suicidal thoughts at age 7
 07:17 – The lifelong weight Jake carried: empathy, pain, and bipolar disorder
 09:08 – The night Jeanie knew something was wrong
 10:03 – The morning she felt her father and son’s presence
 11:22 – Living in shock after suicide loss
 12:20 – Coping with depression as a parent after loss
 13:15 – The constant fear and anxiety of caregiving for a suicidal child
 16:04 – What Jeanie wishes other parents knew: the power of open-door honesty
 18:43 – #CheckOnYourFriends: turning grief into action
 19:56 – Reflections on depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide risk
 22:36 – Why suicide isn’t about blame — and why stigma must end
 23:09 – Closing thoughts: bringing understanding and hope

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