Elyce Mandich: The Truth About Suicide, Loss, and Trauma

Human First with Dr. Courtney Tracy

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, we get deep. This episode is about personal loss and suicidality overall so here is your content notice. I am a therapist, a social worker, a wife, a mom, a relatable human, and so much more. Mental health is extremely important to me because I’ve been there. Maybe not in your shoes, but I have been through some really difficult times, and if I can’t relate, chances are I can empathize. Shoutout to my trauma. When I was 10-years-old I lost my mom to suicide and unfortunately, during that experience I saw first hand how stigmatized suicide and mental health challenges can be. So here I am now, adulting like no other, with a passion to break stigmas around mental health and support others along their journey towards personal growth.

SUICIDE HOTLINE: TEXT OR CALL 988 (https://988lifeline.org/)

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• Elyce describes herself as a mom to two small kids, a soccer player, and someone who considers herself weird and awkward
• When Elyce was 10 she lost her mom to suicide, and she feels the universe was one of the reasons her path included social work
• Elyce helps define in her words suicide, loss, and trauma for the HUMAN first listeners
• Over 700,000 people die by suicide annually in the world, double than homicide
• From her mom’s suicide to now, we have more information on what to look for and how to help
• When Elyce’s mom was a good mom, but struggled with her own traumas even though she didn’t look like it.
• She describes when she found out about her mom’s suicide and how everything unfolded for her that day
• Elyce believes in a ‘one more day’ meaning maybe if we can prevent someone from acting on their desire for one more day we can help them find the help they need even if it’s just in the moment
• Her church community stigmatized her mother and those words hurt deeply a young Elyce
• Describing the little moments and little ways her mother’s absence has showed up for her in her life
• Elyce describes her time in child welfare and how working with suicidal parents had affected her
• The area Elyce is most dedicated to is sitting with someone in there pain and establishing relationships to help them through
• The balance between the ethical guidelines and clinical discretion of helping clients
• The reasons worth living inventory can be incredibly helpful in those tunnel vision moments
• Having constant suicidal thoughts shouldn’t be normal, you deserve to receive help and live in peace mentally
• Elyce hopes that this conversation gives someone a little more comfort in asking or reaching out for help

You can find Elyce Mandich online at:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatrelatablesocialworker/?hl=en

Learn more about Elyce's offerings at: https://www.bigempathytherapy.org/

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada [phone]

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation