On today's episode of the Naperville Public Library Podcast, we have the pleasure of interviewing local author Linda Pacha. 

Linda is the author of Saving Ourselves from Suicide - Before and After: How to Ask for Help, Recognize Warning Signs, and Navigate Grief. She is also the president and founder of Nick’s Network of Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides resources, education, and support about life challenges with an emphasis on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and grief and loss. 

In 2013, Linda's teenage son Nick died by suicide while away at college. In the years since, she has devoted her life to helping others going through similar experiences. In her debut, self-published book, Linda shares her insights gained through hindsight from Nick's painful life, tragic death, and her family’s grief journey. 

In this hour-long interview, we discuss Nick's story, Linda's "unfaltering" honesty in telling it, and how she decided to create a non-profit to help others. We also talk about Linda's writing process and why she decided to self-publish her book.  

Please be advised. 

Although the content of this interview is not graphic in and of itself, it does include discussion about suicide, a topic that by its very nature can be triggering for some individuals. 

For more information about Nick's Network of Hope, click here. 

For more information on Saving Ourselves from Suicide, click here. 

Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (24/7)1-800-273-8255 (calls will be routed to the nearest crisis center in your area)Website: suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Text Line for Suicide PreventionText “TALK” to 741741

Chicagoland Help NumbersCrisis Line of DuPage County (630)-627-1700 (not 24/7)Crisis Center of Will & Grundy County (630) 815-722-3344 (not 24/7)Naperville Text Line for Suicide Prevention: Text “Reach” to 741741