Episode 80: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, touching the lives of countless individuals and communities. According to recent data, an average of 132 Americans die by suicide each day. Each of these deaths sends a shockwave, rippling outward and affecting loved ones, friends, coworkers, classmates, teachers, and entire communities.
In this powerful and tender episode, we hear from Leslie Nielsen, a mother navigating the devastating grief that followed the suicide of her adult son Ben in 2021. She shares her personal story and what it means to live with—and move through—this kind of loss. We’re also joined by Carly Memoli, who was the Program Director for Suicide Prevention Service in Santa Cruz County California at the time of this recording. She helps us understand the complexities of suicide grief and offers insight into how healing can unfold.
You’ll also hear a short audio piece from another woman who lost her mother to suicide. This offering provides a second story about this unique and often misunderstood form of grief.
Suicide is hard to talk about—and this episode may be hard to listen to—but we believe that with understanding comes the potential to help. Whether you are supporting someone at risk or a person who has experienced this kind of loss, knowledge and compassion can make a huge difference.
Broadcasts: 7/6/25 & 7/14/25
Producer & Host: Debra Sloss, LMFT
Guests: Carley Memoli, Leslie Nielsen
🎧 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
Never miss an episode!
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Amazon Music / YouTube Podcasts / Pandora / TuneIn
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review to help others discover us.
🤝 ENGAGE WITH US
Join Our Email List
Want to know our topic each month? Sign up here.
Follow Us
Facebook & Instagram: @stateofmind.radioandpodcast
Suggest a Topic or Share a Story
Do you have a story or topic idea? Email: debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org
Submit an “In Your Voice” Listener Segment
Share your 1–3 minute message about a personal mental health experience or recovery resource.
• Call: 831-824-4324
• Or record on your phone and email to debra.stateofmind@ksqd.org
🧠ABOUT STATE OF MIND
State of Mind is an all-volunteer produced mental health and wellness podcast and radio show hosted by psychotherapist Debra Sloss. Through intimate, story-rich conversations with guests and experts, we explore the complexity of being human and how to live well. Learn more at www.stateofmindmedia.org. Produced with support from KSQD Community Radio.
❤️SUPPORT OR UNDERWRITE
Love State of Mind and KSQD? Become a supporter or underwrite the show to reach a thoughtful audience. Learn more at KSQD.
🙏 SPECIAL THANKS
Audio Production: Youssef Hassanein, VJ Lukka, Jeanne Baldzikowski
Volunteer Coordination: Youssef Hassanein
Story Coaching: Patrice Vecchione
Research: Katrina Tattenham, Heather Franks
Transcriptions: Tanmayi Kademani
Marketing: Nimalan Elanchelvan
Graphic Design: Priscilla Yee & Grishma Jain
Data Management: Loan Tran
Theme Music: Adrian Legg & Favored Nations Entertainment
📚 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Transcription
Read the full English transcript of this episode here: English Transcription – Episode 80: Suicide Loss
Closed Captions
Prefer to watch with captions?
View/Listen on YouTube and turn on the closed captioning feature in the settings.
RESOURCE LIST
Crisis Support
988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 | English or Spanish – Call, Text, Chat or Deaf/HoH
Free, confidential support is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, a mental health or substance use crisis or just needing someone to talk to. Caring counselors are ready to listen and help.
*Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast – For community education and training, bereavement support services, or volunteer opportunities, call administrative line at (831) 459-9373. Also offering free 24-hour confidential hotline (Dial 988) for those who are feeling suicidal or need support, serving the residents of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties.
Grief Support
*Grief Support at Hospice of Santa Cruz County – Offers an extensive array of compassionate, professional, and individualized end-of-life care and grief support. Grief support services are low or no-cost, for adults and youth, and may include support groups, one-day classes, or one-on-one support. Contact them for more information about Grief Support, Transitional & Palliative Care, Hospice Care, Pediatric Care, or Community Education. Phone: 831-430-3000.
*Suicide Loss Survivors Program – Offered by Family Service Agency of the Central Coast. Services include:
• Immediate outreach and emotional support
• Peer-led and professionally-facilitated grief support groups
• Grief counseling provided by trained mental health professionals
American Association of Suicidology – Excellent site full of helpful information for professionals and for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
• Helping Survivors of Suicide: What Can You Do? – Sound advice for how to listen and support.
• A Handbook for Coping with Suicide Grief – Free in English and Spanish
• Surviving Suicide Loss Newsletter – Subscribe at the bottom of this page.
Healing Conversations – This peer-to-peer program gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with supportive volunteers, who are themselves suicide loss survivors. Individuals can submit an interest form to set up a phone call or an in-person or video meet-up. Offered by American Association of Suicide Prevention.
Books
No Time to Say Goodbye by Carla Fine (1999) – This book is specifically about surviving the suicide of a loved one.
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler – This book brings compassion to the forefront in a powerful way and helps soften insensitivity one can be exposed to.
Counseling Support
*Family Service Agency (FSA) of the Central Coast – A long-time State of Mind underwriter, FSA offers low-cost and Medi-Cal/Medicare therapy for all ages and backgrounds, including sliding-scale options. Offices in Santa Cruz and Soquel.
Santa Cruz: 831-423-9444 x200 | Soquel: 831-346-6767 x200
*Shine a Light Counseling Center – Shine a Light provides affordable counseling for couples, individuals, children, and families in English or Spanish with offices in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Monterey and San Francisco, California. Request an appointment online.
Leslie’s Personal Recommendations
*Grief Counselor Kara Bowman – A sincere and qualified therapist who specializes in grief.. and gets it! (831) 219-8522
Find Supportive Family and Friends – Leslie says she’s truly learned about her NEED for open, honest, authentic people, and she’s found that she can control who she spends time with during this most difficult journey her life is now on.
Exercise and Self Care – Leslie says it has never been more important to be conscious about this!
Contact Guests
*Leslie Nielsen
Email:lesliepaulides@gmail.com
*Indicates a Monterey Bay Area resource
