A Mother's Resilient Heart (Part 3): Moving Forward Through Grief and Love | Ep #27

In Part 3 of our series, we continue our conversation with Dawn Lohr, who shares the profound and challenging journey she faced with her son’s mental health issues and substance use disorder. Dawn opens up about the heartache of losing her son, who took his own life at the age of 26. In this episode, she reflects on her ongoing grief and the strategies that help her navigate through it.

Dawn’s story highlights the difficulties of empathically supporting someone who is grieving. It’s easy to wish for a return to “normal,” but for those who are grieving, that normalcy may never return. The initial outpouring of support often wanes, leaving individuals to face their loss with diminishing attention from others.

For those seeking ways to support someone in the early days or years of their grief, consider the following:

Thoughtful Gifts: A soft blanket, a teacup, a journal, a candle, or planting a tree in memory.

Acts of Kindness: Offer to take them to lunch, visit briefly, bring a meal, or share stories about the person they lost.

Personal Touch: Send heartfelt cards with personal messages, sharing cherished memories and expressing your care. Avoid giving unsolicited advice; instead, offer support and acknowledge their unique grief journey.

Remember, grief is personal and doesn’t follow a set timeline. Simply saying, “I don’t know what to say, but I’m here for you,” can be deeply comforting.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.