0065: Supporting Student Athletes After Suicide Loss with Chris Warren (Part 1)

Supporting Student Athletes After Suicide Loss with Chris Warren (Part 1)   In this episode of Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z, Dr. Christina Zampitella sits down with Chris Warren, LPCMH (Licensed Professional Counselor at the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy) to talk about the loss of student athletes to suicide and the impact of that loss from the perspective of a coach and mentor. Chris shares his experience working closely with two high school athletes who died by suicide, and what it was like to receive that news, support other students through the loss, and navigate his own grief at the same time. This conversation explores the complexity of grief in leadership roles, including: • Supporting adolescents after a peer’s death • The pressure to “hold it together” while grieving • The loss of control that comes with suicide • And the weight of “what if” and “if only” thoughts that can follow This episode offers an honest look at grief, responsibility, and the lasting impact of loss — both personally and professionally.   This is part 1 of a two-part series. Tune in next week for part 2. **********   If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. Support is available. You can call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat support. If you are outside the U.S., please reach out to local emergency services or a trusted support resource in your area. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:40 – Meet Chris Warren 01:30 – Coaching and Mentorship Background 02:30 – First Loss: Gabby’s Story 03:30 – Learning About the Loss 05:30 – Receiving the News 07:00 – Shock, Disbelief, and Emotional Response 08:30 – Immediate Reactions and Coping 10:00 – Problem-Solving Mode vs. Grief 11:30 – Navigating Uncertainty and Lack of Protocol 12:45 – Supporting Student Athletes 13:45 – Creating Space for Grief in a Team Setting 15:00 – The Role of Choice and Autonomy 16:30 – Coaching Skills in Crisis 18:00 – Individual vs. Group Grief 19:30 – Identity and Loss in Adolescence 21:00 – Impact on Teammates 22:30 – Difficulty Talking About Suicide 23:30 – Loss of Control 24:30 – Prior Conversations About Mental Health 25:30 – “I Missed Something” 26:30 – Guilt and Responsibility 27:30 – Navigating “If Only” Thoughts 28:30 – Self-Forgiveness and Reflection 29:30 – Understanding Grief Over Time