The Weight of Silence: Hiding a Suicide Delayed My Healing

This episode  features an emotional and deeply personal conversation about the cost of secrecy.

Guest Deb Sherwood lost her husband, Bob, by suicide after a long battle with illness. Deb, a journalist, bravely shares their story, revealing the complex and traumatic aftermath that comes with a death by suicide.

She and the hosts, Terry and her co-host at the time, Brigitte, discuss the unique challenges suicide loss survivors face, including the trauma of a sudden death, recurring thoughts, and the crushing weight of stigma, shame, and isolation. Deb recounts the painful experience of being a "person of interest" in her own home and the profound guilt she felt after a seemingly innocent comment made to her husband just hours before his death.

For a year, she kept the truth of his death a secret, which she now believes delayed her own healing process. Deb emphasizes that talking about suicide is a crucial step in healing and hopes her story will help others navigate their own grief, encouraging them to find support and not suffer in silence. The hosts also touch on the importance of having resources and support available, highlighting an article from Harvard Medical School on the unique nature of suicide grief.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/