Youth Suicide

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Impactful Ways Caring Adults and Youth Collaborate in Suicide Prevention: Interview with the Liv Project | Episode 113

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Impactful Ways Caring Adults and Youth Collaborate in Suicide Prevention: Interview with the Liv Project | Episode 113

How meaningful that this episode was recorded during the 18th anniversary of by brother Carson’s death by suicide. His expressed legacy was to help youth thrive and this episode is dedicated to empowering youth to help lead innovative approaches in suicide prevention.

The Liv Project was founded by the mother and sister of Olivia Ann Kunik, a 19 year old and shining light who died by suicide on January 19th, 2018. In honor of her life, the Liv Project strives to turn the tide of youth suicide through creative approaches such as:

Well-meaning caring adults who want to support youth, don’t always get this right. Sometimes they think their main role is about teaching and protecting, when what is often more impactful is EMPOWERMENT. In other words, let the youth lead. They know their challenges and strengths best. When youth take charge, the outcome is far more likely to be sticky with their peers.

The founders of the Liv Project understand this, and have enrolled countless youth advisors and ambassadors to lead the cause. By employing the creativity and passion of young people and collaborating with mental health professionals, they are able to reach their audiences effectively and with confidence.

Shoebox of Memories -- Reflections on Hierarchies of Grief, Decades after Losing a Classmate to Suicide: Interview with Candace Opper | Episode 104

Shoebox of Memories -- Reflections on Hierarchies of Grief, Decades after Losing a Classmate to Suicide: Interview with Candace Opper | Episode 104

What do we mean by “disenfranchised grief.” It’s when your experience of grief is different than the general cultural attitudes about “justified” pain regarding death and loss or “acceptable” mourning practices. Being out of “the norm” in your grief experience often tend to exacerbate the pain as people can feel very alone.

In this conversation, Candace Opper talks about her experience losing a childhood acquaintance to suicide and how this event stayed with her for decades.