Navigating Grief: Finding Purpose Through Pain and Loss

It's a Tough Subject

About the Hosts:

Dennis Gillan is a mental health advocate and speaker dedicated to suicide prevention. After personally experiencing the loss of two brothers to suicide, Dennis shifted his focus towards aiding individuals and communities in understanding and addressing mental health issues. He frequently speaks at colleges and companies, sharing his journey and insights to foster open conversations about mental health, trauma, and healing.

Jessica Seel is an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She joins Dennis in their collective mission to destigmatize mental health struggles and promote effective dialogue and support systems. Jessica brings a personal perspective to the conversation, sharing experiences of loss and coping strategies while emphasizing the importance of community and self-reflection.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Dennis Gillan and Jessica Seel delve into the complex topics of grief, trauma, and healing on "It's a Tough Subject" podcast. Both hosts openly share their personal stories of loss due to suicide and how these experiences have impacted their lives and work. The episode shines a light on the broader human experience of trauma, exploring how it affects everyone differently and discussing various coping mechanisms that can help along the way.

Throughout the discussion, Dennis and Jessica emphasize the universality of grief and the significance of acknowledging anniversaries of loss, or "sadiversaries." They share ways they've learned to navigate these difficult days, from volunteering to celebrating life in new ways. The episode critically examines the notion of finding purpose and meaning in trauma, delving into philosophical reflections on existence, suffering, and faith. With thought-provoking insights and personal anecdotes, they invite listeners to consider their own journeys through adversity and the possibilities for healing and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief and trauma are universal experiences that can bring people closer or create division within relationships and families.

• Acknowledging "sadiversaries" through acts of celebration or volunteer work can transform the experience of loss into an opportunity for healing and connection.

• Trauma can shape individuals, leading them to discover resilience and purpose that might otherwise remain untapped.

• Embracing the notion that existence entails suffering can help individuals navigate difficult emotions with more acceptance and understanding.

• Being vulnerable about past experiences allows for greater empathy and connection in personal and public conversations about mental health.

Resources:

• https://halfasorrow.org/
• https://dennisgillan.com/

• Stephen Colbert Interview with Anderson Cooper

• "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People" (Book)

• "The View from Halfway Down" - Poem from BoJack Horseman episode

  • https://youtu.be/u1_EBSlnDlU
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFH4uEvpA-4
  • The View From Halfway Down

    The weak breeze whispers nothing the water screams sublime. His feet shift, teeter-totter deep breaths, stand back, it’s time.

    Toes untouch the overpass soon he’s water-bound. Eyes locked shut but peek to see the view from halfway down.

    A little wind, a summer sun a river rich and regal. A flood of fond endorphins brings a calm that knows no equal.

    You’re flying now, you see things much more clear than from the ground. It's all okay, or it would be were you not now halfway down.

    Thrash to break from gravity what now could slow the drop? All I’d give for toes to touch the safety back at top.

    But this is it, the deed is done silence drowns the sound. Before I leaped I should've seen the view from halfway down.

    I really should’ve thought about the view from halfway down. I wish I could've known about the view from halfway down—

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with grief and trauma and consider how they can honor and grow from these challenges. For more insights and shared journeys of healing, tune into the following episodes, where Dennis and Jessica continue to tackle tough yet vital conversations in mental health and beyond.