purpose birthed from pain

Julie Ann Rocco is a suicide loss survivor and a suicide attempt survivor. Julie is also the Founder, President and CEO of What I Would Have Missed where she seeks to create an international movement to prevent suicide and promote mental wellness by cultivating connections, camaraderie, and community. She does this by creating unique conduits for suicide attempt and ideation survivors to share their stories and spark open dialogue about suicide and mental wellness as well as inviting mental health professionals, family members, friends, and the community at-large to engage in open dialogue to deepen understanding of their unique journeys.

Julie is the podcast host of What I Would Have Missed where she interviews suicide attempt survivors, reads What I Would Have Missed moments shared by suicide attempt and ideation survivors, and shares positive quotes, ideas, and poems in her Ray of Light segments. She also reads What You Have Missed moments suicide loss survivors share as they reflect on moments their loved one who has died by suicide has missed.

What I Would Have Missed amplifies the power of lived experience by connecting our truth to a path that brings purpose to our pain and stories of hope from our scars. In our sharing, we encourage others to step into the expanded opening of love and acceptance which yields a reverberating echo of “You are not alone. I, too, know the struggle of trying to stay and reaching for a life that brings hope, healing, and happiness.” Suicide loss survivors find a place to offer remembrance of their loved one, reflect on the moments they have missed, and encourage others to seek help and stay.

Julie still has dark days and acknowledges the journey of finding hope, healing, and happiness is not linear, but she has fully committed to a future she is not willing to miss. And, it is not lost on her, What I Would Have Missed and this bio in its entirety is a life she would have missed had she died by suicide.

As part of her commitment to serve others, What I Would Have Missed will grant 25% of all What I Would Have Missed profits to nonprofit organizations offering therapeutic treatment to individuals and families unable to afford it. Each calendar year, three nonprofits will be selected to receive a What I Would Have Missed grant from these funds. In October of every year, a request to nominate a nonprofit will be launched and a selection committee will determine the three nonprofits the grant awards will be issued.

Together, we can create a world of filled with hope, healing, & happiness.

my journey of hope, healing, & happiness

Before There Was Hope

In 2009, after losing my significant other to suicide, the loss, the guilt, the pain, and the darkness snuffed out hope for a brighter and better day. The enduring suffering overshadowed any glimmer of light, love, and life. I chose to let go of life and attempted suicide. I am one of the fortunate, as I was discovered, taken to the emergency room, physically stabilized, and then released into mandated out-patient mental health services where I would begin taking steps toward hope, healing, and happiness.

Hope and Healing

Resuscitation of my soul began as a rebirth in the darkness. Just as a caterpillar evolves from within the darkness of the chrysalis, I began my journey of hope and healing in the darkest moments of my life. The darkness that once held me hostage to strife began to serve as my birthing vessel into a new awakening. With the help of family, friends, mental health counselors, support groups, EMDR, meditation, exercise, and an unwavering commitment to life, I stepped into the light of amazing grace and mended the wounds of guilt, helplessness, anxiety, and fear. And, I have developed resiliency skills to combat suicidal thoughts that still arise when the chatter becomes loud and deafening. Most notably, I have learned in those moments to talk to myself, not just listen to myself. This pivot in creating my self narrative through a new voice has been a game-changer.

Happiness

I am learning to live a life with stretch marks and scars I no longer seek to hide or deny. I am learning to put my whole self into my life. I have learned to hold onto the miracles that unfold each and every day--the beat of my heart; the deep breath of release; the conversations with my family, friends, and colleagues; the snuggle time with the dogs; the beauty of dreams yet to come; and the love I carry in a heart that has no maximum holding capacity. I am learning to look forward to tomorrow while living life fully in the present. I am learning it is okay to be happy. I have committed to the promise, "I Will See You Tomorrow."