In the early morning hours of August 4, 2013, Joy Pavelich’s world was shattered when she found out that her twenty-year old son Eric had taken his own life at the family farm in Saskatchewan. Struggling to make sense of Eric's sudden and unexpected suicide, Joy takes a deeply personal and difficult journey through his past—from his happy childhood, to his mental health struggles in his early teens, to his death and the resulting aftermath of his passing.
Chasing My Son Across Heaven demonstrates how to rebuild a life fractured by extreme trauma using storytelling as a powerful healing tool. The author tackles some of the most pressing issues facing society today; youth mental health, suicide and post-traumatic stress. Through her explorations, Joy reveals how we can all find the courage to rebuild our lives while continuing to honor the deep love for those we've lost.

V. Joy Pavelich holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University. After the loss of her son, Joy transferred her communications skills into supporting mental health awareness, advocacy and action. She has served on several national advisory councils for mental health, and was featured in Canadian Living magazine and  the Calgary-based Home of the Brave initiative as an expert in coping with extreme trauma and loss. She currently resides in Calgary, Alberta.

V. Joy Pavelich's profile page

"Demonstrat[es] to others how they too can rebuild a life fractured by extreme trauma using storytelling as a powerful healing tool . . . tackles some of the most pressing issues facing society today; youth mental health, suicide and post-traumatic stress. Through her explorations, Joy [Pavelich] reveals how we can all find the courage to rebuild our lives while continuing to honor the deep love for those we've lost . . . sensitive, compassionate, and deftly handled on an inherently painful subject . . . an absorbing and ultimately inspiring read."

Midwest Book Review ("MBR Bookwatch")