I’m so thankful to find this podcast. Each episode has something meaningful and valuable. I lost my husband to suicide Aug 29 2023 and we had been divorced since March. He struggled with alcoholism for many years and it certainly affected his mental health over those years. He succumbed to the Disease and left a great hole in my family’s hearts. I was able to share different episodes with different friends and family members as i felt would be Relatable to them and it’s been helpful. I was aware of Dr Jennifer’s loss so happening upon this podcast was a blessing. It’s heavy material but it doesn’t feel heavy when listening to all of these guest share their experiences and Hope… I Hope others in need find it too❤️🙏🏽

This podcast has helped my partner and I get through the first week of grieving the loss of his father to suicide. Helpful voices and experiences.

Thank you for reminding me how not alone I am, my dad took his own life in Dec of 2018 when I was just 19 years old. For years I’ve been trying to navigate these emotions, and have always felt so lonely. From the bottom of my heart thank you for the comfort this season provided me. I truly cannot wait for season 2. Sending love & light to anyone who can relate 🤍

Today is Mother’s Day 2022. I went to the mountains of North Carolina to be alone with my grief and think about my son, Coble, who at died by suicide 3 weeks prior to his 16th birthday, 10/10/21. I have trouble finding many podcasts that address grief of the loss of a loved one by suicide. Your daughter, Chloe, was so articulate and genuine. What a terrible tragedy she faced at such a young age and what courage she has to share her story and help others. I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her today and I know she will continue her life doing amazing things. We must break the stigma about mental health. I am doing what I can and want to do more. Suicide is not a choice. My husband, a child psychologist in Charlotte NC, and I are getting together a group of community partners in two weeks- pediatricians, psychologists, clergy, etc. So many people are struggling. Please let me know if you see a way we can help you in any endeavors. Jennifer Ishee

I just found your podcast today- May 5, 2022. I’m 51 and was 50 when my mother died by suicide July 19, 2021. It’s still an incredible wave of emotion. I’ve only list n e to the first episode and the biggest take away is “their suicide is not about you” and when Melissa made the point to not stay in/live in the “what if’s”.

My boyfriend/fiancé killed himself after a long battle with opioids in June of 2021. I listened to these on my way to work. Helped me realize I was not alone with the questions of why and the hurt it brings. PLEASE make more of these.

Thanks for this podcast. I just lost two daughters. My 20 year old lost her life to suicide last month. We are of course devastated, confused, angry, ashamed, you name it. Now I have lost another daughter because she blames me for the suicide and doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. I thought I was a good mother but I am now so sad that she feels this way. Perhaps she is hurting and this is the way she deals with it but right now I am so sad...

My recent ex of 7 years died by suicide on 2/26. I’m struggling. I learned so much . Thank you for talking about this.

Thank you for talking about this subject! It is the worst “club” to belong to, but so necessary to discuss and help each other to heal. I lost my daughter near the end of 2019, days before her 19th birthday. My wish is to find ways to move forward in life; first by looking for ways to help all who are touched by this illness, and secondly by finding ways to honor the beautiful person she was. It hurts so much that my deeply caring daughter, who fought for the underdogs In life, lost the battle for her own life.

Thank you for reaching out and helping survivors of those who have committed suicide. My family and I lost my sister November 17,2020. At the age of 39 years old, she took her life after battling with bipolar disorder for over 20 years. She was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and best friend! I am reaching out for help on how to cope and how to help my family and others. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do

Good but episode 2 erks me when the therapist comes and speaks on. What if suicide is from a chronic disease or terminal condition how is that not a fact? Suicide is not just mental illness. It can be from hopelessness of chronic pain or illness not a chemical imbalance.

My ex girlfriend took her life 4 years ago and this really helped me. Thank you.

I lost my son September 6th of this year to suicide, he was 23. The questions it leaves are almost unbearable, and I have been really struggling to just hang on to life. The emotional roller coaster you are thrown on when you loose a child is by far the hardest thing I have ever gone thru in my life and has been so hard on my marriage and my family. I always felt like I had the best marriage with my husband who is also my best friend but I feel like we are still there for each other but so far apart, but our love is so strong that we will never give up on each other. And my 3 older daughters and my 9 grandkids give me strength. My books on grief help me and I read your book and it helped me understand that the feelings I have are ok. You are an amazing lady and thank you for getting the stigma about suicide out there. We need to break the silence

I wish there were more than 8 episodes right now. We lost my grandmother a few years ago to suicide and two months ago my mother ended her life as well. This podcast has truly helped my husband and I through our journey. We can see that we’re not alone and get to hear and think about different perspectives on the topic. This is such a huge issue that people find so taboo to speak about and I’m so very happy that there is a platform to reach anyone and everyone so that we can speak about this and hopefully make a true difference. Thank you so so much.

I’ve lost three family members to suicide and I’ve found comfort and validation from this podcast. Is it perfect? No, though I have yet to meet a single person whose every word, thought, and opinion on suicide loss resonates with me. Some of the critical comments in the reviews here are unnecessary and unfair in my opinion. I think Jennifer is doing her best and I’m really grateful that she’s using her position to destigmatize suicide and create conversations around it. My one critique is that I do think it’d be helpful and powerful to hear from people who are not wealthy or famous to make it more relatable. Overall, this podcast is very good and there is a lot of heart out into it.

This gave me a better understanding of what people go through when they lose a loved one to suicide. I’ve tried to commit suicide because of my struggles in life and what I have to deal with everyday.

I’m grieving my boyfriend’s suicide and I hadn’t been with him very long so I am going at this alone. Thank you. It helps so much to hear from people who have been through this.

This series was suggested to me by a family member and I am so glad I listened. I recommend this series to everyone, it’s not just for coping with suicide. It’s for anyone that has suffered any loss.

I lost my younger brother to suicide 9 weeks ago. It has felt like no one has understood the depth of this immense loss. Your podcast has helped validate so many of my feelings. This has been such a blessing to me at such a difficult time.

I so appreciate all your work for suicide. I cannot thank you enough. My husband took his own life on February 12th just before the pandemic hit. I found him and I have no explanation as to why. The best guess is depression that I didn’t see until after. He was 62 years and we had only a few more years til retirement. He was a great man and no one saw his problems. Your podcasts and book has helped immensely. My daughter and myself have each listened to all episodes a couple of times. We had no idea he was even contemplating suicide. You have made so much sense in helping us move forward with faith and hope. Thank you for taking on such a challenge and helping so many. You’ll never know the hope you’ve given!

I lost my Dad to suicide 55 years ago and I have written a book called Brain Pain. Your blog is serving a valuable purpose ❗️ please visit my website Brainpainbook.com. Thanks and please continue with your wonderful contribution to our community ❗️I am a volunteer support group facilitator for survivors of a suicide loss with the Samaritans in Boston. Larry Shapiro

This conversation is so needed in this world, thank you for being a voice

Thank you for this. It is so helpful!

I just listened to the interview with Talinda Bennington. I lost my daughter to suicide 2-1/2 years ago. She was 24. Linkin Park was one of her favorite bands and I have enjoyed their music as well. I am blown away by Talinda and how she has taken such a devastating loss and tried to use it to make a difference in people’s lives. I am also blown away by her faith and how she tries to teach that faith to her children. Her story is so inspiring. Thank you, Dr. Ashton!

I lost my 13 yr old son a month ago and I’ve been reaching for any kind of help that I can get. This podcast is helpful as far as validating everything that I am feeling and going through. I don’t know what the rest of my life is going to look like...I am living through the worst thing possible. Thank you for this podcast.

My community has lost many important people to Suicide in the last several years - myself included. This pod cast has helped me see and understand how I can start to grow and stop asking so many of the questions that will never be answered and focus on what matters most. Recently I went to a funeral and was left with this - let’s not focus on how the person died - but focus on how they lived and celebrate that! What an amazing lesson and gift for me!

I am still making my way through the episodes and have an early comment- one that I see another listener noticed. It really stings when I hear the word "committed" in a description about suicide and especially stung to hear the Ashton's counselor use the term. I too would like to see that word banished.

Thank you for creating this meaningful and important podcast.

I love this podcast! It makes me feel comfortable knowing I’m not alone. Suicide is such a taboo topic. I lost my dad to suicide and I’m still struggling 2 years later. I’ve shared this podcast with all of my family for them to listen to. Can’t wait for more episodes.

I am a physician and mother as well as a sister. I lost my beloved son at age 22 to suicide secondary to a severe illness. Twenty plus years prior to this I lost my brother to suicide. I want to know how to start talking about this publicly to help prevent this epidemic. I also want to be a resource for those who have lost a family member or friend. I have finally come out of the fog or as one person said, am thawing out, and need to help others.

I can believe how I I enjoyed this podcast even though it made me cry. It was the best therphy dealing with my 39 year old son who died by suicide 11 months ago. I am anxiously waiting for a new episode.

This podcast was specifically supposed to be about surviving the loss of a loved one to suicide. After 3 episodes, it went far off course and I have no idea what it’s about now. I fear this podcast was only a vehicle for the host to sell her book based on the loss of her ex-husband.

When I lost my brother to suicide in January, I immediately wanted to learn all I could about suicide - I read, I went to support groups, I talked with my therapist, anything I could do to find out about what had taken my brother and to find people who I could relate to. When I searched for podcasts, I was surprised that there wasn’t much out there on the topic. Thank you, thank you for starting this podcast to openly speak about this issue that is still unfortunately surrounded with stigma perhaps because of the unknown - so much is yet to be discovered and understood. I especially related to so much in the 2nd episode - beautifully done. I too do not want my brother’s death to be for nothing - I am trying to be an advocate for suicide awareness and feel that the stigma can be lessened little by little just by people talking about it more. As my family and I adjust to our new normal, please know this podcast will be playing a much-needed role in our healing. UPDATE: it’s been 7 months since I lost my brother to suicide, and I find myself going back to episodes 2 and 6 with Chloe and Dr Simring and Rabbi Kirshner when I need to hear reassurances that I’m not alone in how I feel. Thank you for those. A note on how not all of the episodes deal with suicide directly - at first I felt similar to some of the other comments asking for you to get back to only suicide, but I’m just so grateful for those two episodes alone and I realize that the other episodes are no doubt helpful for other listeners. I appreciate the initial season of this podcast and hope more episodes are to come.

I lost my wife to suicide at 33. I was all in at first, but it’s not what I thought this would be. I appreciate her sharing her story along with her daughter, but it’s more so tailored to discuss loss and struggle rather than it entirely being about the loss of someone to suicide. To be fair, the conversations were good, but I think the title should be different. I wish there was more discussion on mental health, and the challenges people face when trying to help a loved one through their mental health struggles.

I lost my younger brother in November 2018 to suicide...he is/was my buddy. I am so happy to have found this podcast because at this stage of my grief and loss I just want to know that there are others who are here with me in their own loss and grief. Also, what others think and feel and tell themselves about this incomprehensible place we now dwell. This podcast is EXACTLY what I was looking for and it brings me comfort and perspective. As it is a new podcast, I look forward to all that it will cover and perhaps help myself and others wading through the questions and confusion of loosing a loved one to suicide. Thank you Dr. Ashton and the team that is developing and producing this podcast. UPDATE: at the time of my original review there were several episodes in the first season I hadn’t heard yet. Unfortunately the episodes get further from the subject of suicide and more into grief and loss. There are SEVERAL podcasts already available on grief. Although this is important subject matter, what makes this podcast unique (and rare) is that is is specifically dealing with suicide loss and grief and all that entails. This is a very specific subject that doesn’t get much honest coverage. Please return to the subject and bring back people (of all socio economic backgrounds who have suffered suicide loss...there is no shortage of survivors.

Disappointed to hear Dr. Simring say “committed suicide” on several occasions. I think that is inappropriate to say especially from a Dr. and continues the stigma.

Thank you for creating this podcast. I know for myself, I search everywhere for stories of what other survivors went through and how they’re getting through life and learn to live again. I lost my longtime bf of 20 years 9/18/18. He struggled for years with mental illness and addiction. I would love to hear more on the whirlwind of emotions experienced after suicide when there was so much pain leading up to it. Also more on becoming the “sole” parent. I became obsessed with my own mortality, like I can’t die, my health etc. The pressure is immense. I have to be here for my children. Thank you so much! I’m looking forward to season 2!

Hi Will you consider having guest and stories with lower middle class people who can’t afford the mental space to grieve or feel their feelings much less afford counseling because one mis step can turn their financial boat over & everyone goes down. Thanks Suci

I lost my beautiful son to suicide 5 1/2 years ago. I found a wonderful support group that helped me As I begin the journey of living life without my beloved son. I now facilitate with that group. I know the helping others helps me piece. This is the most beautiful series of podcasts and information that I have heard in the years since losing Daniel. Thank you so much for sharing yourself and bringing others to share their hearts and their souls. I really, truly can’t thank you enough. I share with each person with whom I come in contact about these podcasts. Multiple truths is life changing....for me it has been. Dr. Jennifer Ashton......I absolutely know you get the helping others helps you piece. With much gratitude, Patti Schast Jester

This was an excellent podcast to listen to people that had first hand experience with suicide. Was very helpful listening to their experiences. Then all of a sudden changed direction (no pun intended) to a hodge podge of GMA colleagues. Sadly disappointing.

I lost my daughter last year to suicide. I have listened to each episode. While there are some excellent moments overall the content seems to get off track at times. I’m not saying you have to always serious, but there’s too much fluff in my opinion. As with others, this is most difficult event I have ever dealt with, emotions, faith, friends, every aspect of your life is affected after losing someone to suicide. The programs just fail to go deep! Maybe that’s intentional... To me by far episode 5 is the best. UPDATE I Thought this podcast was about life after suicide... episode 7 is NOT! UPDATE This podcast gets s further and further away from the topic of suicide with each episode. #8 hardly mentions suicide and talks about panic attacks etc. SAD

This is a much needed podcast. Thank you for talking about mental health and suicide. I would love to hear from parents who have lost children to suicide.

Dr. Ashton thank you so much for doing this! I lost my brother to suicide 10 years ago. I was extremely lucky enough to find a support group specific to suicide. My journey has been an incredible one. It has motivated me to try and help other survivors like myself. I am now a facilitator at the very support group that helped me! I want to share this podcast with everyone it is amazing!! Thank You Thank You! Donna Emory

I would like to suggest that you interview other survivors who are not celebrities, or in any kind of spotlight. I lost my fiancé to suicide in 2018 and I’m the one who found him. My life has been rocked to its core. I have PTSD and anxiety, and am also suffering from depression for the first time in my life. Hearing from people no one has ever heard of, and bringing the suicide epidemic to the true forefront would be beneficial, I think. I feel that it would help others to see that it’s not just celebs who go through this. I would be willing to share my story if I were asked, and I’m willing to bet many others would too. Thank you for what you’re doing with these podcasts though. Raising awareness not only for the mental health community, but also for those left to try to put their lives back together after suicide loss. I’ll admit I came to this podcast just because I saw there was an interview with Talinda. I can relate to her on a huge level. 💔 Edit: I am listening to Chloe now and she is an incredible, thought-provoking, speaker. Very well communicated. Thank you Chloe, for sharing your experience. ♥️

My nephew ended his life (I was about to say “committed suicide,” but this podcast has already taught me that that language is hurtful) two weeks ago. Until I listened to this podcast, I was guilty of thinking how selfish he was,especially knowing that his brother had done the same 22 years ago and what it had done to their mother then. Couldn’t he at least have left a note? Having listened to only two episodes, I now realize I can’t begin to understand the pain (although James Longman’s description goes a long way in that direction) my nephew must have been in. Dr. Draper in that same show says that suicide is the most “selfless act” a person can commit, in that person’s mind. (I’ll have to listen to that segment again.) Anyway, if you’re living through the heartache of someone close to you ending their own life, I emphatically urge to start listening to this podcast. I feel so much better already!

This is an amazing podcast. Having a son who is struggling with depression and anxiety, I find comfort in the strength of others who understand the enormity of mental health awareness. I try and educate myself every day to be a better mother, listener and support system. Thank you for helping me and all those who are touched by mental illness. You are doing a a great service to us all.

I am so impressed and thankful for this podcast! I have learned so much already. I have three dear friends that have lost their young adult children to Suicide. I now have a 9 year old grandson that struggles academically and emotionally and I worry about him every day. I can see the sadness in his eyes. Please keep this up. I know so many people need this information!

My 14 year old daughter committed suicide a little over a month ago. I am so broken and trying to find answers. Hearing your interviews with me the health experts and family members that are affected is helping me. Mental illness is real and it pains me how it’s shammed in society.

Lost my wife to suicide 10 months ago, and this podcast is proving itself to be worthwhile both for those directly touched by suicide and just the casual listener. I appreciate that at least the first couple guests haven’t been filled with jargon-y self-help-speak but instead from genuine places of experience and insight.

Thank you Chloe for being strong and brave to be able to teach! Your life is staring and thank you for helping us understand your perspective