Supporting Someone Who Self-Harms: A Trauma-Informed Guide | Lisa Sugarman

In this episode of Life After Trauma, host Jessica Vanrose speaks with Lisa Sugarman, a crisis counselor and author, about her personal experiences with suicide loss and the importance of discussing mental health openly. They explore the nuances of grief, the significance of language in suicide prevention, and how to support loved ones in crisis. Lisa emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and the power of simply being present for those who are struggling. The conversation also highlights the importance of utilizing resources like crisis hotlines and the impact that one supportive person can have on someone in distress.

Takeaways

• Grief is a unique and complex experience, especially with suicide.
• Language matters; we should avoid saying 'committed suicide.'
• Being direct about suicidal thoughts can save lives.
• Crisis hotlines like 988 are crucial resources.
• One supportive person can significantly reduce suicide risk.
• Sitting in grief allows for healing and processing emotions.
• Weaving loss into life is a continuous journey.
• It's important to meet yourself where you are in your healing.
• You are not alone; there are resources available for support.

Chapters

00:00 Lisa's Unique Story of Loss

06:07 Understanding Grief and Its Nuances

09:52 The Impact of Language on Suicide Awareness

12:41 Supporting Loved Ones in Crisis

18:59 The Role of Crisis Resources

19:46 The Best Way to Help Someone Struggling

24:45 The Power of Connection in Crisis

26:12 The Importance of Holding Space & How to Do That

31:28 Navigating Conversations About Mental Health 

36:01 Sitting in Grief: A Necessary Process

38:51 Living with Loss: Weaving Grief into Life

42:58 Final Thoughts & Advice

Links Mentioned

Lisa's website & directory of resources: https://lisasugarman.com

Come connect with me

IG @lifeaftertraumapodcast & @jessvanrose

TT @thejessvanrose

Keywords

trauma, grief, suicide prevention, mental health, support, crisis counseling, healing, language, loved ones, resources

💕 Connect with Jess:

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www.jessicavanrose.com

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