Adoption and Suicidal Ideation: A Conversation with Beth Syverson
From Open Adoption Project by Lanette & Shaun Nelson
February 3, 2025 · 44 min · Episode 119
About this episode
Beth Syverson shares her family's journey through adoption, mental health crises, and the importance of support and healing.
In 2019, when Beth Syverson's adopted son Joey was 15, he was hospitalized with a mental health crisis. While there, Beth discovered he had been using cannabis, psychedelics, and more. It has been a sometimes-excruciating marathon since then, with runaways, overdoses, psych hospitals and treatment centers, relapses, suicidal ideation, and anxiety & depression. But Beth's family is now on a healing journey, and they are committed to walking beside each other with positive and compassionate relationships, no matter what. Beth has discovered that Joey’s relinquishment trauma from his inter-country adoption at 7 months old is one of his core issues. Beth wants to help other families struggling with adoption, addiction, mental health, and diversity. Join her in this heartfelt episode where we sit down with Beth Syverson, the author of Adoption and Suicide . Beth shares her deeply personal journey, discussing the sensitive topics of suicide and suicidal ideation. We advise listeners to approach this episode with care . Beth's son, Joey, who has faced his own struggles, is still with us and fully supports his mom in sharing their story. Join us for this important conversation that…
People in this episode
Hosts: Lanette Nelson, Shaun Nelson
Guest: Beth Syverson
Topics covered
- adoption
- mental health
- suicidal ideation
- family support
- addiction
- healing journey
Keywords
- adoption
- mental health
- suicidal ideation
- addiction
- family support
- healing
- relinquishment trauma
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Adoption and Suicide
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