Responding to Suicide Grief with Tracie Peterson

How can we respond to suicide grief?

In today’s powerful episode, host Tina Yeager sits down with bestselling author Tracie Peterson—affectionately known as the queen of historical fiction—to explore the complicated and often unspoken aspects of suicide grief.

Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research for her latest novel, Tracie opens up about why she chose to address suicide in her fiction and how storytelling can offer a gentle, healing space for those processing loss. Together, Tina and Tracie discuss the stigma and secrecy historically surrounding suicide, the different ways people move through grief, and the vital importance of finding safe, supportive communities—whether that means close friends, faith leaders, or professional counselors.

Tune in to find both comfort and practical insight as we break the silence, shed shame, and highlight the biblical and scientific truths that can help us respond compassionately to those grieving after suicide. Whether you’re in the midst of loss yourself or seeking to better support loved ones, this episode offers hope and understanding for a journey that is never meant to be walked alone.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

• The Power of Story: Fiction offers a safe space to process hard emotions and see your experiences reflected, sometimes helping you take steps toward healing when you're not ready for counseling or direct conversations.
• The Weight of Stigma: Historically and today, many cultures surround suicide with secrecy and shame—which only compounds the pain for those left behind. Tracie’s work addresses these silences and offers a message of compassion and biblical hope.
• A Safe Place for Grief: Healing often begins by seeking “safe people”—those you can trust with your vulnerability, such as mature faith leaders, therapists, or supportive friends. It’s okay if your journey looks different from others—there’s no timeline for grief.
• Moving Forward: You may never get over the loss, but you can get through it. God’s love is deeper than our pain, and nothing can separate us from it (Romans 8).
• How We Can Help: If you’re walking alongside someone grieving a suicide, simply being present—without trying to “fix” their pain or rush their process—makes a vital difference. And above all, pray continually for comfort and healing.

Dial 988 to access the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

If you’d like to read Tracie’s new Hope of Cheyenne series, starting with A Constant Love, you can find more at traciepeterson.com.

 

We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant.

To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/

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