
When Suicide Touches A Family with Kirsten O'Connor
From On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health Expert by Sonia Krishna Chand | Adult Autism and Neurodivergent Mental Health Expert | Empowerment Coaching
March 19, 2026 · 59 min · Season 3 · Episode 61
About this episode
The episode discusses the myths surrounding suicide and features a conversation with Kirsten O'Connor about her daughter Kahlia's life and death.
Send us Fan Mail Some of the most dangerous myths about suicide sound polite on the surface: “They were selfish,” “They did it for attention,” “If you talk about it, you’ll make it worse.” We push back on all of that with a conversation that stays human, specific, and real. We’re joined by Kirsten O’Connor, an author from New Zealand and the mother of Kahlia, who died at 24. Kirsten helps us remember the full person behind the loss: a bright, musical, loyal young woman with a psychology back...
People in this episode
Host: Sonia Krishna Chand
Guest: Kirsten O'Connor
Topics covered
- suicide
- mental health
- grief
- loss
- family
- myths about suicide
Keywords
- suicide myths
- mental health
- grief
- Kirsten O'Connor
- Kahlia
- family loss
- psychology
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