Barbara Legere experienced every parent's ultimate nightmare: her child died. Her son took his own life, after years of struggling with Mental Health issues and addiction. After an intense period of feeling “in a fog,” Barbara started writing, which eventually became a bestselling book, called “Keven's Choice.”
In this episode, Barbara shares very personal stories about Keven's life as a boy; his challenges with drugs and his time incarcerated; his stints in rehab; and her experiences on this journey with her beloved son, including why she never gave him “tough love” and what it has been like to survive his loss and to keep going. Barbara has endured plenty of judgement from others along the way, but her unconditional love for her son, and her empathy for others motivate her to spread awareness of substance abuse and mental illness. She recently released a second book, entitled “Talk to Me I'm Grieving.”
In addition to writing, Barbara is a volunteer for for the non-profit TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) where she is called on scene by first responders to give emotional support and help to those involved in traumatic incidents, typically involving the death of a loved one. She also advocates for Grief awareness, suicide prevention, and compassion for substance abuse disorder.
If you or anyone you know needs support, text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
In this episode:
02:27: What Keven was like as a child
07:02: The day Keven ended his life
12:20: Best things to say and do–and not to say and do–after someone has lost a loved one
20:08: Keven's experiences in jail and rehab
25:10: Barbara's journey writing her first book
30:29: The TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) for which Barbara volunteers
33:16: Confronting the stigma around mental illness and substance abuse, and judgement from neighbors and strangers
37:48: Barbara's advice for people who are grieving–and their friends
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