Grief is the New Normal Podcast: Episode #29 Reflections from 'My Unexpected Journey': Navigating Child Loss & Suicide with Erin Blechman

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor is joined by Erin Blechman to discuss deeply personal and sensitive topics, including child loss and suicide. Erin shares her heart-wrenching journey of losing her son Max to suicide and her subsequent path to healing, which includes writing a book titled 'My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide' and becoming a certified grief educator. The conversation addresses powerful themes such as the stigma surrounding mental illness, the complexities of grief, and the importance of community support. Erin emphasizes the need for compassionate conversations around mental health and the transformative power of honoring loved ones through meaningful work. A must-listen for anyone dealing with grief or supporting someone through it. 00:00 Introduction to Grief and Today's Guest 00:59 Erin's Story: A Journey Through Loss 06:51 The Impact of Platitudes on Grief 13:30 The Importance of Grief Support Groups 17:50 Reconciling Identity After Loss 18:11 Visualizing Grief Over Time 18:45 Research on Grief and Child Loss 20:05 The Permanence of Change After Loss 20:50 Stages of Grief and Finding Meaning 21:27 Purpose and Mission After Loss 22:31 The Grief Community and Post-Traumatic Growth 23:54 Reducing Stigma Around Mental Health and Suicide 25:12 Complexities of Suicide and Mental Illness 30:03 Important Takeaways on Child Loss and Mental Illness 33:42 Remembering Max 35:21 Connecting with Erin Blechman 37:23 Closing Remarks and Resources ---------------------------------------- Erin Blechman is an author, speaker, and Certified Grief Educator whose mission is to elevate the conversation around grief and loss, mental illness, and suicide. Her book, My Unexpected Journey: Reflections After Losing My Son to Suicide, chronicles the eighteen months following the devastating loss of her own beloved son, Max to suicide after his long battle with mental illness. She offers grief support to bereaved parents through online groups and community talks that seek to build greater understanding of mental illness, suicide, loss and grief. Erin lives part-time in both Pittsburgh, Pa. and Naples, FL with her husband, Bill and Max’s former dog, Emmylou. Their son, Sam, and his wife, Julia, reside in Pittsburgh. My Unexpected Journey is her first book. Follow Erin on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @erin.blechman. Link to Erin's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/jjkgIBu ------------------------------------------------- I'm Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist in Washington state. I've been practicing grief therapy since 2012 and am passionate about changing the narrative of grief in our current cultural climate. Grief is a universal lived experience and as such needs to be something we talk about without the taboo attached. I hope you'll join me as we work to adjust to the new normal we are living in and support one another in that process. https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com [email protected]   Dr. Taylor is also a co-founder of 'The Mourning Movement,' with Jen Reisinger, LMHC. The Mourning Movement aims to create spaces for grief education and community support to reduce isolation and stigma around grief. Be sure to sign up for more modern grief insights and resources at https://themourningmovement.myflodesk.com/resourcesandnewsletter https://www.themourningmovement.com [email protected] ------------------------------------- Opening Music by The Dadicorns Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor All Rights Reserved.   This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.