Healing Out Loud: A Widow’s Journey to Break the Silence Around Suicide

Healing Out Loud: A Widow’s Journey to Break the Silence Around Suicide

There is a reason why there is a stigma surrounding suicide. There is a lot of shame and guilt associated with it. For example, "did that person take their life because of me?" Are people going to think that?" "Are people going to think I had something to do with it or that I didn't do enough for that person?"

There's a reason why the stigma exists.

But the more we avoid the topic, we are doing a disservice to those who have been impacted to suicide. We need to talk about the hard things in order for other's to not feel alone and be able to talk about their own journey.

It is easier said than done of course. It's difficult revisiting the pain through telling your story, but I say with confidence that the more I talk about my wife's suicide, the further along my healing journey goes. It also keeps her memory alive.

Starting my brand, my company, I didn't know exactly what I was signing up for to be completely honest. What I did know, was that I wanted people to talk about mental health more. I didn't and I don't like the stigma around it and I wanted to inspire people to talk. And my brand has done a lot of that, but at some point I decided that I needed to do more, which included sharing my own story.

I've share don podcasts, in anthologies, through social media posts, blogs obviously, and every time I do a vendor event with my brand. And I absolutely always get "thank you"s when I do. But this is part of MY healing journey and this is what works for me.

I can't force anyone to share their story. It's hard and it can be scary. But what I will say is that there is someone out there waiting to hear YOUR story. They are waiting for that moment where they no longer feel alone. And YOUR story COULD be the one to save someone's life.

Help me get rid of the stigma and get people talking about mental health. Share your journey. Share your journey.

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