In this powerful episode, we explore the challenging journey of grief with Iona Winter, a suicide bereaved mother who lost her son Reuben in 2020. Iona shares her personal experiences and insights on navigating the complex emotions of loss, offering valuable perspectives on mental health and tools for grief.

Iona emphasizes the importance of giving oneself permission to feel and grieve without judgment or societal expectations. She discusses how her grief journey has transformed her identity and approach to life, highlighting the need for authentic conversations about loss and suicide.

Our conversation delves into practical advice for those experiencing grief and those supporting others through it. Iona shares her thoughts on effective support systems, the role of nature in healing, and the importance of allowing oneself to feel without trying to “fix” or analyze the emotions.

We also chat about:

• The impact of suicide bereavement on personal identity
• Challenging societal norms and expectations around grief
• The importance of non-judgmental support and presence for those grieving
• Tools for grief, including therapy, support groups, and connecting with nature
• Misconceptions about grief and the limitations of traditional psychological approaches
• The ongoing nature of grief and strategies for day-to-day coping
• Advice for those feeling stuck or hopeless in their grief journey

Iona shares her experience as both a bereaved mother and a former mental health professional, offering a unique perspective on the grieving process. She emphasizes the need to move away from overly medicalized approaches to grief and towards more heart-centered, feeling-based methods of healing.

The interview also touches on the power of language in discussing suicide and grief, with Iona advocating for more sensitive and appropriate terminology. She discusses her upcoming book, “A Counter of Moons,” a creative non-fiction book addressing the complexities of suicide bereavement.

We both are passionate to remind you that you are not alone in your grief experiences and we encourage you to acknowledge and sit with your emotions without judgment - with support if needed! Our conversation concludes with a message of hope and the importance of creating space for open discussions about grief and loss in society.

To connect with Iona head to at ionawinter.com or Elixir and Star Press. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone navigating their own grief journey or supporting others through loss.

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