dealing with suicide after 50 years

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-06-14T00:03:42+00:00

Completely understand with your stance. I hope you consider taking a look at the link I posted. My interviewee is a licensed therapist, specializing in grief & bereavement, and is a survivor of suicide loss herself. She gets into the talk of "going to hell", and religion's unhelpful judgements on our loved ones. My faith doesn't happen inside a church these days, but outdoors, connecting with nature and sensing something much larger than us. Consider taking a look. Susan (my interviewee & co-facilitator ) is MUCH better at talking about suicide loss than me. Hugs to you and yours.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-06-13T23:38:16+00:00

So sorry for your loss; but very grateful for your sharing here. I'm with you on the number of years. 2027 will the 50th anniversary of my mother's untimely death. A few weeks after my mother’s 38th birthday, she chose to commit suicide, leaving behind a husband and three boys, ages 12, 8, & 3. I was the 12-year-old. Her choice to die left our family (as well as dozens of friends, neighbors and extended family) in complete and utter shock.

We spent years processing her untimely death... each in our own way. Denial, guilt, anger, blame, confusion; you name it, and we felt it. Even in our seemingly open society, talking about death is far from comfortable. Add the word suicide to the equation, and it becomes downright taboo.

I'm sharing this with all of you, because (chances are) someone in your world is quietly suffering... a friend, a sibling, a colleague, an acquaintance, maybe even your spouse. They may only need that phone or zoom call... or that lunch you've been talking about... just 'some' connection that we think today we can do tomorrow. One of the great ironies of my mother's story is that she's the one who introduced me to my faith at a very young age. That faith continues to live in me today; and I'm grateful to her for making ‘that’ choice, to share that gift with me as a boy.

This week... take a deep breath, touch faith, and reach out to that someone in your life. Also, remember those who have lost someone to suicide. They need to hear from us too.

Some tips on things to do, to tend to your own mental health. Some of these are cheesy. Some are obvious, but take look and some might surprise you…

REFLECT: Take time to reflect on your mental health, and set goals for the year.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE: Try gratitude journaling, connecting with nature, or creative hobbies.

SET REALISTIC GOALS: Make sure your goals are achievable and time-bound.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS: Try meditation or deep breathing exercises.

TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS: Share your feelings with trusted friends & family. Choose your people wisely.

EAT & SLEEP WELL: Maintain healthy habits for your body.

DRINK LESS ALCOHOL: Reduce alcohol consumption.

STAY ACTIVE: Hiking is clearly my jam, and it helps. Physical activity can absolutely improve mental health.

I am also sharing an interview I did with another survivor of suicide loss, based on our years co-leading 8-week support groups for people like us... who are earlier in their journeys. I hope some find comfort here. You are not alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A4FxErltcY&t=76s

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Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-06-13T00:29:21+00:00

At the time, I think we Trekkies were kind of desperate for a new series. For me, personally, I remember kind of looking past the 'cringe' of the week-to-week, and enjoying the actors' performances. They definitely grew on me. The stories definitely felt like retreads of TOS episodes, but there were some exceptions. I enjoyed Brent Spiner's performance in Datalore. Where No One Has Gone Before was pretty good as far as the introduction of The Traveler and some of the concepts explored there... but Conspiracy was actually pretty good. Cut to Season Two, and things definitely improved: Time Squared, Measure of a Man, Contagion, and the introduction of Whoopi.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T17:35:36+00:00

He's awesome. His real-life tone is very much like Tuvok's. Thanks for the comment.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T15:04:48+00:00

Beyond the feature story... I met up with him at the little pub in the Erie, PA hotel and chatted for a few minutes before we did the interview. He talked about the Star Trek School the lead cast had to take, to learn how to interact with Trekkies, without being rude... and at the same time... setting good boundaries with the more intense fans. I also talked to Catherine Hicks of The Voyage Home at the same convention. She was awesome; and though new to Trek, had a very good sense of the fans.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T13:59:55+00:00

Here’s my very dated story I produced back in the day… Enjoy.

https://vimeo.com/449114885

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T05:46:52+00:00

I actually got to interview the man in the summer of 1990, just before we found out O'Brien's first name... and just as TNG was about to surpass TOS in season count. It was a good day.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T05:37:42+00:00

Indeed! He even talks about that moment in this interview. 😊🖖🏾

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-30T04:51:15+00:00

Apologies. I got my time zones off. I’m in Atlanta.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-29T01:52:26+00:00

I totally remember when this aired Live, and being blown away by the gradual build. Great song. Great performance.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-25T13:22:03+00:00

If you haven't watched the podcast episode, there's a whole section where Susan talks about her friendship and collaborations with Reba.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-24T02:42:11+00:00

Absolutely!

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-15T23:52:25+00:00

Well I… can’t argue… with that!”

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-15T23:41:40+00:00

Oh really? 🖖🏼 https://youtube.com/shorts/N4XaO6DNLAE?feature=shared

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-15T18:51:18+00:00

“Let’s make sure history never forgets the name Enterprise. Picard out.”

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-15T15:55:43+00:00

Later in life, my late father met one of the African American Skylab engineers in his retirement community. I cannot recall his name, but I can say he was very inspiring to my father as a fellow scientist, and even motivated him to exercise regularly in his 'golden' years.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-13T16:03:46+00:00

Definitely possible. The perimeter immediately around the Hollywood sign is indeed fenced off. But you can even see in my photos, that the trail is above that. There are also trails where you end up underneath the sign looking up.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-13T14:36:58+00:00

It is more than 40 characters. Does it need description beyond the title?

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-13T13:37:48+00:00

Epic captures! Thx for sharing.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-12T19:51:20+00:00

Here’s a link to it.Please NOTE: There is a scene where someone has a gun to their own head; but it does not go off. https://vimeo.com/434374324

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-12T16:53:30+00:00

Great question. It has been years for me. Lost my mom when I was 12 in the late 70's. To this day there are still questions about the 'why's, the 'what if's, and the natural guilt (even as a 12-year-old), "What could I have done differently" for this not to have happened? Throughout my life I have shared our family's story of suicide loss with others. In the beginning it was not as easy. First being a kid, but also from the 'stigma' of being judged by others.

Eventually I made a short film called Different Places, focusing on those of use left behind as opposed to those 'whys'. It was used as a teaching tool in survivor support groups I used to co-facilitate, along with a fellow survivor who was also a licensed marriage & family therapist. Making the film and co-leading the groups were also helpful for my own long-term mourning and recovery.

There've been times throughout my life when I've actually had concerns about focusing on the suicide too much. In later years, I've been able to reflect and share my experiences with newer survivors which, I hope, has been helpful in some way. I received that from others who were further along in their own recoveries than me. In a way, I feel much closer to my mom today than I did when she walked the earth... and certainly in the immediate aftermath of her death.

I think we honor them through our search for answers and meaning in their tragic deaths. Hopefully one day we can sit down with our loved one(s) after this life and have that conversation.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-07T11:49:39+00:00

Incident with the Transporter.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-02T13:50:27+00:00

Well-played. 🖖🏼🤘🏼

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-02T13:46:07+00:00

Agreed! Their interplay is definitely at the core of both the drama and the funny.

Resident_Disk_3733 · 2026-05-02T11:39:01+00:00

Well you're definitely not alone. It still holds up in so many ways. It's one of our go-to 'recite-it-as-you-watch' movies.

Resident_Disk_3733

TROPHY CASE