52. 10 Years Without My Dad: The Story I Never Thought I’d Read Out Loud

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, suicide attempts, depression, addiction, and mental health struggles. Please listen with care. If this topic is difficult for you, consider listening when you feel supported, or skip this episode. Mental health support resources are included below.This is one of the most personal and emotional episodes I’ve ever recorded.On Monday it would have been my dad’s 64th birthday, and this year also marks 10 years since we lost him. For this episode, I wanted to honour him by sharing part of his story, in his own words.My dad, Graziano, lived with depression and bipolar disorder for more than 25 years. In 2003, during one of his darkest moments, he attempted to take his life by setting himself on fire inside our family home. He survived with severe burns and spent months in hospital recovering.What followed was an incredible transformation. After surviving the fire, my dad dedicated his life to mental health awareness, helping other burn survivors, and supporting people struggling with depression and suicide ideation. He became involved with the Burns Foundation, participated in charity events, and spoke publicly about his experiences.Years later, he shared his story in a book published by Lifeline WA called A Glimmer of Hope.I read his chapter from the book aloud for the first time in many years. It’s confronting. It’s raw. And it’s deeply human.Through his own words, my dad describes what it felt like to live with decades of depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, shame, and emotional pain, while trying to keep up appearances to the outside world.He talks about the stigma men faced around mental health, why he felt he couldn’t ask for help, and how alcohol and substances became a way to escape the pain he carried for so long.He also shares the moment everything changed, the fire that nearly took his life, the long road to recovery, and how therapy, support, and community helped him rebuild his life.Tragically, in 2016, we lost him to suicide.Even though his story ended that way, it doesn’t erase the hope, the love, and the lessons that came from the life he lived.In this deeply personal episode, I also reflect on:The impact depression can have on families and childrenThe complicated emotions that come with suicide loss and griefHow addiction and alcohol can worsen mental health strugglesWhy conversations about suicide prevention and mental health awareness are so importantThe importance of ongoing support, boundaries, and caring for your mental health long-termMental health is not something we fix once and move on from. It’s something many of us need to care for and manage throughout our lives.My hope in sharing this episode is simple:That someone listening feels less alone. That families feel encouraged to talk openly about mental health. And that we continue working together to reduce the stigma around depression, addiction, and suicide.Because behind every statistic is a family, a story, and a life that mattered.If sharing my dad’s story can help even one person reach out for help, then this conversation is worth it.You are never a burden.You are never alone.And there is always someone who cares.If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out for help.Mental Health SupportAustralia: Lifeline: 13 11 14Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you.Connect With Jasmine📍 Insta:https://www.instagram.com/jasminelisciottoofficial📍 Podcast Insta:https://www.instagram.com/lifebizandallthatjazz📍 TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@lifebizandallthatjazz📍 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@JasmineLisciottoSharing stories like this helps break the stigma around mental health. If this episode touched you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it