Betsy Thibaut Stephenson: Suicide Prevention and Crisis Communication – Part 2

Today's interview is Part 2 of a discussion of an impossibly difficult topic – losing a child to suicide. September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, and Lisa continues the conversation today with Betsy Thibaut Stephenson who discusses the many layers of moving forward after losing a child. She shares how her 21-year-old son Charlie called her just 11 weeks before he took his own life. There were no warning signs prior to that.

Betsy shares her story and feedback she is receiving about her honesty. She talks about her son's death to make it easier for others to talk about this subject, including the immense grief and painful guilt. She has received messages from younger people who want to heal, even in the midst of difficulties and struggle. She is asking people to treat depression as an illness. It is powerful and has many different parts. She does not get mad at her son but gets very angry at the illness for the affect it has on so many.

Betsy reminds us that it's fine to not be happy all the time. If you are not feeling good, she asks us to talk to someone, whether it's a parent, friend, teacher, coach, or a professional. Reach out and know that help is available. Trust helps with healing and recovery.

She openly talks about going to therapy and how depression is so powerful. It can override our basic, innate power to survive. You cannot reason with a mental illness. She asks us to take it very seriously.

Betsy is a veteran crisis communications expert based in Washington, DC. Rather than being consumed by grief, Betsy chose to meet it head-on, emerging with a mission to spark more honest conversations around mental health, grief, and loss.  Her new memoir, "Blackbird: A Mother's Reflections on Grief, Loss, and Life After Suicide" is a brutally honest and beautifully written account of how she continues living—and loving—after the worst kind of loss. It's a story meant to help others feel less alone.  Info: www.blackbirdbetsy.com

This is Part 2 of the interview.

If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or crisis, pls CALL OR TEXT 988. You will be able to talk confidentially, for free, with a trained crisis counselor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.