In this powerful episode of The Survivors, Lisa and Gretchen unpack the complex, emotional aftermath of losing someone to suicide. They speak from personal experience—offering raw insight, practical support, and the crucial reminder that healing begins with conversation.

 

 

Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube:

A video version of this episode is available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

 

 

This episode is proudly brought to you by Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions

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Episode Summary

Lisa and Gretchen dive deep into the emotional toll of suicide loss—a grief experience unlike any other. They share their personal stories, explore common reactions like guilt, anger, isolation, and PTSD, and talk about how societal stigma compounds the pain. Together, they break down what to say, what not to say, and how to truly show up for survivors of suicide loss. If you've ever lost someone this way or are supporting someone who has, this episode is a lifeline.

 

 
Lessons Learned

• Suicide loss grief carries unique emotions—shame, blame, anger, and stigma.


• Survivors often don’t recognize they’re trauma survivors, but therapy can reframe the experience.


• People often don’t know how to support a suicide loss survivor, making the grief even more isolating.


• Simple, direct support like saying the person’s name or offering to walk the dog can make a huge difference.


• Avoid harmful clichés; instead, listen without judgment and hold space for real emotion.

 

 
Episode Chapters

00:00 – Trigger Warning & Welcome

01:00 – Why Suicide Grief Is Different

04:00 – Guilt, Anger, and the Blame Game

07:00 – The Stigma of Silence

09:00 – Recognizing Trauma and PTSD

12:00 – Social Withdrawal After Suicide Loss

16:00 – Supporting Survivors in Their Grief

19:00 – What to Say (and Not to Say)

22:00 – Four Ways to Show Up for Someone in Grief

26:00 – Resources, Support, and Final Reflections

28:00 – Closing Words of Hope

 

Resources for Mental Health & Support

🔹 The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/

🔹 The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/

🔹 Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions – Mental wellness coaching & support – https://schosersolutions.com/

🔹 Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads – A raw, award-winning mental health podcast – https://goesoninourheads.net/

🔹 Safe Place Virtual Support Group for Survivors of Suicide Loss facilitated by Samaritans Southcoast https://www.samaritanssoco.org/i-lost-someone-to-suicide

 

 
Follow & Connect With Us

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_survivors_podcast

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-survivors-podcast

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSurvivorsPodcastChannel

 

 
A Shameless Plug for Our Sister Podcast!

Our incredible sister podcast, Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, has been nominated for two People's Choice Podcast Awards—the Adam Curry Award and the Health Award! 🏆

Let’s help them bring it home!

👉 Vote here: https://www.podcastawards.com

👉 Register with a valid email address (they do verify emails)

👉 Vote for Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads in both categories

🗓️ Deadline to vote is July 31st, 2025

Thank you for supporting their powerful mission to normalize mental health conversations through raw, real, and relatable storytelling!

 

#TheSurvivorsPodcast #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheSilence #GriefSupport #988Lifeline #SurvivorStories #HealingTogether #PodMatch #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #Podcast #Community #Hope #Grief #Stigma #MentalIllness #Support #LisaSugarman #GretchenSchoser #SchoserTalentandWellnessSolutions #TheHelpHUB

 

 

See You Next Week!

Stay strong, keep going, and remember: You are enough. 💜