Talking About Teen Suicide (Laura Messner)

Today’s episode of Hope to Recharge is sponsored by https://Betterhelp.com/hopetorecharge.

Betterhelp.com is the world’s leading provider of online therapy. Their mission is to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, and convenient, so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime, anywhere. As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

Head to https://Betterhelp.com/hopetorecharge for 10% off your first month of services. IMPORTANT: Be sure to click this link in order to get the 10% off code

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Laura Messner grew up in a typical home until her parents divorced when she was eight years old. After she became aware of how little she got to see her father, she began chasing after perfection in every way she could think of to “earn” his attention… until she developed an eating disorder and eventually attempted suicide. She came to learn self-love and to take responsibility for her own pain and healing journey. As a teenager, she resisted help because she was unwilling to admit that everything inside was not perfect. It wasn’t until her late twenties that she came to understand that her struggles stemmed from the pain she felt from seeing herself as a victim of her father’s abandonment.

Laura shares her insight of how healing comes from taking baby steps like practicing daily thankfulness, finding a group of loving people to support you, making healthy body choices, and figuring out in therapy what is causing you distress. It also comes from realizing that you alone have control of your life and choosing to see yourself and others through a compassionate lens. If you find yourself triggered into an emotional state, try asking, “What caused this? How can I fix this?” rather than allowing yourself to explode into a huge, long emotional display that makes you feel better because you are embracing your status as a victim.

There is much stigma admitting we are struggling with mental health issues or even just that we have emotions. The stigma doesn’t make sense because everyone has struggles, and many who hide it, wish there was someone they could share it with. If we suppress difficult feelings, they can spread like cancer making it harder to heal. Sharing can lift such a huge burden off of your shoulders. If parents or others are not supportive, find a mentor you can talk to who will not report back to them because to live your best life, you need support.

Finally, Laura shared with us about how she cares for her brother, Richard Junior, who is on the autism spectrum. Despite him not being able to give back as someone in a typical relationship would, she appreciates what he does give her, simply through his outlook on life. Richard Junior has taught her many things about life and love.

As we all know, sharing can help others. We are here to support each other and to learn from each other. In mental health, Together is better.

If you need more support in your mental health journey please reach out to us in our private Facebook group. We also offer free 30-minute fitting calls for our coaching program. You do not have to walk through your mental health struggle alone. Because as always, together is better!

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As we begin 2021, Matana looks back on 2020, recounting the blessing of having experienced a year devoted to gratitude. She highlights how she chose to be in the moments that are phenomenal, chose to highlight the gratitude moments and chose to live with an open, grateful heart.

She shares how we can all invite miracles to our lives by focusing on the constant practice of gratitude, and coming to peace with things that didn’t go our way.

A key strategy she shares is how she decided to undertake starting and ending the day with a smile, despite the challenges of that day, the hurt, pain or disappointment, and focus on gratitude, which allowed her to see miracles throughout the year.

Matana offer us her “Gift of Light” special program, where she offers her listeners the option of working with her 1 on 1, over 8 sessions. This offer only has a small amount of slots open and is available for a limited time. The program is custom tailored to each individual and she will share her tools and techniques on topics she has implemented, such as gratitude, forgiveness, positive mindset and self love.

Link: Gift Of Light program

Gift of Light – 8 Private 1 on 1 Sessions with Matana

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Connect with Laura:

Facebook: facebook.com/laura.messner
Instagram: @wickedlmessner

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Topics Discussed:

Growing up in perfectionism, depression, cutting, eating disorders, and suicide attempts
Finding healing through self-love, gratefulness, and community
Being willing to share your story to bring healing to yourself and others
Advice for teens to overcome stigma and find support in their healing journey
Caring for a brother with autism

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Quotes:

“Nothing that happens to us defines us long-term unless we allow it to.” @LauraMessner #HopetoRecharge
“If there’s anybody that I’m upset with… Let’s say they find ways to try to hurt me… Instead of becoming that victim now… I take off that evil mask that they’re wearing, and I see the child in them… because they’re just covering up some of their own pains inside of themselves.” @LauraMessner #HopetoRecharge
“Acknowledge the pain. Give it space; say, “Wow, that hurt…” but, at the same time, I am going to choose to see what did work today.” @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“Hope is the knowing that there is more to life than what’s right in front of you.” @LauraMessner #HopetoRecharge

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There is no substitute for a listening ear. Get Your Free 30 Minute Consultation Today.

https://hopetorecharge.com/1on1/

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Find out more info here! www.hopetorecharge.com/Mastermind

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Suicide Hotlines:

USA: 1-800-273-8255
USA Crisis (Text): 741-741
Canada: 1-833-456-4566
United Kingdom: 116-123
Australia: 13-11-14
International Suicide Hotlines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

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