Suicide Zen Forgiveness: A Candid Conversation with Jacqueline Gee

This episode of the Suicide Zen Forgiveness podcast features a heartfelt conversation with the host, Elaine Lindsay, and guest, Jacqueline Gee. As a mental health advocate, mentor, and creator of the Doom to Bloom podcast, Jacqueline shares her journey with mental health struggles, trauma, addiction, and her commitment to breaking down their associated stigmas.

A survivor of sexual assault and anorexia, Jacqueline provides valuable insights into her healing process and her work in the social services field with the vulnerable population struggling with homelessness, addictions, mental health, and legal involvement. She highlights the importance of conversation and normalized dialogue around mental health, asserting that sharing burdens lightens the load. The episode discusses the challenges of combating societal stigmas, the flaws in the justice, mental health, and foster care systems, and the need for empathy towards the unhoused. Finally, Jacqueline’s story serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the power of resilience and empathy towards mental health, trauma, and addiction.

00:00 Introduction to Suicide Zen Forgiveness Podcast

01:12 Meet Today's Guest: Jacqueline Gee

03:47 Jacqueline's Early Struggles with Mental Health

05:06 Jacqueline's Journey through Trauma and Recovery

06:39 The Impact of Sexual Assault on Jacqueline's Life

07:38 Jacqueline's Battle with Anorexia and Self-Harm

11:43 The Turning Point: A Friend's Murder

13:21 Jacqueline's Career in Social Work and Law

14:07 The Challenges of Working with the Unhoused Population

20:55 The Stigma and Stereotypes Surrounding the Unhoused

37:28 The Importance of Human Connection and Compassion

44:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

She was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and she's always been a mental health advocate and mentor. She is the founder and creator of the Doom to Bloom podcast. There, Jacqueline shares her journey of mental health struggles and her experiences with trauma and addiction alongside the guests she has who also share their experiences.

As Jacqueline is active in the social services field, specifically with the vulnerable population struggling with homelessness, addictions, mental health, and legal involvement, she provides tactical tips and techniques to support both yourself and others during these struggles, as well as education around these stigmatized and taboo topics.

Jacqueline is passionate about raising awareness of mental health, trauma, and addiction, as well as continuing to fight to break down the stigma surrounding these topics.