Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

Coping with Suicide Loss: One Widow’s Story of Guilt, Silence, and Recovery

04 Feb 2020

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What happens when suicide loss is kept a secret?In this deeply moving episode, Deb Sherwood shares her journey after her husband’s suicide — a story marked by shock, stigma, guilt, and ultimately, the hard decision to break the silence.Deb opens up about the unique challenges of coping with suicide loss:The trauma of discovering her husband’s deathWhy guilt is such a common burden for suicide loss survivorsHow stigma and secrecy delayed her healing for more than a yearWhy speaking openly about suicide became the key to recoveryHer story is a reminder that while grief after suicide is uniquely complex, no one should have to carry it in silence.If you or someone you love is struggling after suicide loss, this conversation offers compassion, understanding, and hope.Link to Harvard article: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/left-behind-after-suicideLink to Speaking of Suicide blog: https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2013/06/30/keeping-suicide-secret/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2Primary Topics Covered:Why suicide loss grief is different from other types of griefThe trauma of discovering a loved one’s suicideSurvivor guilt and the impact of last conversationsHow stigma and secrecy around suicide prevent healingThe personal cost of keeping a suicide hiddenWhy honesty and openness are essential in healing after suicideThe role of support groups and therapy in recoveryWhat to say (and not say) to suicide loss survivorsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction — Suicide loss as uniquely traumatic grief 01:20 Harvard Medical School insights on suicide loss 02:25 Stigma, shame, and secrecy after suicide 03:09 Deb shares her love story and her husband’s illness 04:40 The exhaustion of caregiving and words she regrets 06:40 Discovering her husband’s death by suicide 08:00 Police investigation and immediate guilt 10:00 Deciding whether to tell the truth about the cause of death 11:30 Pressure to keep the suicide a secret 12:45 The personal cost of secrecy: isolation and delayed healing 14:59 Ongoing guilt and survivor’s burden 15:46 Why Deb chose to share her story publicly 16:36 Talking about suicide as a pathway to healing and prevention 17:40 Closing reflections on stigma, language, and supportExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

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3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

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Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

Coping with Suicide Loss: One Widow’s Story of Guilt, Silence, and Recovery

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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