In this episode, we have a special testimony from Kat Badger, the founder of Stop the Stigma Indiana's Facebook group, and mother of Alyssa Goddard, ForEver 26, born 10/14/1997 and died by suicide 08/09/2024. Kat’s testimony is also Alyssa’s story, both struggled with suicidal ideation, and adverse childhood experiences. But Kat is determined to fight back against stigma, stigma against suicide and mental health, and stigma against one's self. “I knew the stigma other people had on me, because I had to wear so many maska so nobody could see my depression and stuff. But, I didn’t see me showing stigma; especially with my child….So now I’m out there to fight that stigma, to fight those words that you don’t really think are a big deal. They’re a big deal to someone who’s suffering. And that’s what I’m trying tolearn about now. And I still have my days when I do, but we’re human. So, yeah.”

If you are in crisis or know someone who is please reach out to the 988 crisis lifeline, the 1-800-273-8255 National Suicide crisis hotline, 1-800-662-4357 SAMHSA hotline or 741-741 text to talk... but be sure to reach out!

Stop the Stigma Indiana Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/977907983870084

Soul Unveiled on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/soulunveileduk

Just More Than ... Survivors of Suicide Kansas City #Facebook Group Link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/657722746348575/

Check back for more links!

#JMTSOSKC #JMTSSKC #JMTSOS #SeizeTheAwkward #leavealighton #werememberthem #talkaboutmentalhealth #stopsuicide #YouMatter #988Lifeline #mentalhealth #havearealconvo #survivorsofsuicide #mentalhealthsupport #stay #survivorsupport #survivorstories #sos #KC #dearpersonbehindme #stay #SayLess #LLD #youmatter #YouAreNotAlone #kansascity #kcmo #kck #kansascitykansas #KansasCityMissouri #kansascitymo #kansascityks #TalkAwayTheDark #mentalhealthmatters #SuicideEducation #suicideprevention #suicidepostvention

I always say this is a special episode, but every episode is special. However, we will be listening to a special story today, Sara’s story told from her fiancé Scott. I want to mention that Scott has a background in psychological studies, which I think helps when trying to cope with and understand grief after suicide loss. I won’t take up to much time talking before we listen in, but I want to say that Sara has a family grieving; a mother, two children, and a husband to be that will never be now. I want to thank Scott for sharing Sara’s story, for being a voice and providing us with a point of view through a male voice in the community. Men’s mental health matters and I hope that this can help other men who may be struggling to know that it is okay to talk about it – whether you have lost a loved on or are struggling yourself – and that for all who are listening, we encourage you to talk about. If you are in crisis or know someone who is please reach out to the 988 crisis lifeline, the 1-800-273-8255 National Suicide crisis hotline, 1-800-662-4357 SAMHSA hotline or 741-741 text to talk... but be sure to reach out!

PHOTO SUBMISSION! Honoring those we lost and those who have survived! Please submit a photo to be included in a special tribute video. You may use the sign up link, and I will reach out to you or feel free to send the information any way you can... tie it to a dove, send it in messenger, whatever it takes to get it my way. Email BfromKC@gmail.com also. The memorial video will be made available during the second week of September for suicide awareness and prevention month and will also be shared during the SOS conference more details coming soon!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CAAA729ABF5C43-50792590-honoring #JMTSOSKC #JMTSSKC #JMTSOS #SeizeTheAwkward #talkaboutmentalhealth#stopsuicide #YouMatter #988Lifeline #mentalhealth #havearealconvo #survivorsofsuicide #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport #stay #survivorsupport #survivoratories #sos #KC #dearpersonbehindme #youarenotalone #stay #youmatter #YouAreNotAlone #kansascity #kcmo #kck #kansascitykansas #KansasCityMissouri #kansascitymo #kansascityks #TalkAwayTheDark #mentalhealthmatters #SuicideEducation #suicideprevention #suicidepostvention

This is a special broadcast because it is the last episode in the first season! So, we are going to talk about Veteran suicide. In May we celebrated Memorial Day, and in July we are celebrated Independence Day. So, with the idea of patriotism, we remember our soldiers and heroes. We should also remember their mental health is very important. The truth is however, many suffer from mental health illnesses and many also die by suicide. I will have a special announcement as we begin, but keep listening in because later in the episode, I have a special interview to share.

AFSP Preventing suicide in military families: https://afsp.org/preventing-suicide-in-military-families/#military-suicide-prevention-resources

StopSoldierSuicide.com Veteran Statistics: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/vet-stats

Military & Veteran Crisis Line (National Suicide Crisis Hotline): 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 for Military and Veterans.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- Press 1 for Veteran Assistance or Chat at: 988lifeline.org

Vets 4 Warriors: vets4warriors.com

1-855-838-8255

Veterans InTransition: pdhealth.mil/resources/intransition

1-800-424-7877

Military One Source: militaryonesource.mil

1-800-342-9647

TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: taps.org 1-800-959-8277

Veterans Administration (VA) resources:

mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention

VA's Caregiver Support Line (CSL)

1-855-260-3274

Office of Warrior Care Policy: warriorcare.dodlive.mil

Psychological Health Center of Excellence: pdhealth.mil/resources/call-centers

#JMTSOSKC #JMTSSKC #JMTSOS #veterans #SeizeTheAwkward #talkaboutmentalhealth #stopsuicide #YouMatter #988Lifeline #mentalhealth #havearealconvo #survivorsofsuicide #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport #stay #survivorsupport #survivoratories #sos #KC #dearpersonbehindme #youarenotalone #stay #youmatter #YouAreNotAlone #kansascity #kcmo #kck #kansascitykansas #KansasCityMissouri #kansascitymo #kansascityks #TalkAwayTheDark #mentalhealthmatters #SuicideEducation #suicideprevention #suicidepostvention