The grief that follows a suicide is unlike any other. It’s layered with guilt, confusion, trauma, and the persistent question: Why? In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, guest Lisa Sugarman shares her journey after losing her father, cousin, and close friend to suicide — and what she’s learned about navigating the unique and complex grief that follows.Lisa offers deeply personal reflections on the healing power of connection, the role of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and the importance of understanding that you are not alone. She also discusses what to say (and what not to say) to someone who’s grieving a suicide loss — with guidance that can transform how we show up for those in pain.Hosts Terry McGuire and Carly McCollow join Lisa for an open, compassionate discussion about suicide prevention, survivor support, and how language can either wound or heal.If you’ve lost someone to suicide or want to learn how to support those who have, this episode offers insight, empathy, and hope.Primary Topics Covered:How suicide loss grief differs from other kinds of griefWhat to say (and avoid saying) to someone who’s lost a loved one to suicideHow to use the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (even if you’re not in immediate crisis)The importance of connection and peer support in healingHow to comfort someone who feels guilt or shame after a suicide lossWhy “grief is love” — and how to carry that love forwardThe myth that suicide is an “act of selfishness” and what’s really behind itUnderstanding the survivor’s journey and the slow, gentle process of healingTimestamps00:00 – Introduction: The importance of open conversations about suicide 01:29 – Guest introduction: Lisa Sugarman’s story of loss and purpose 02:12 – What Lisa wants others to know about suicide and grief 03:21 – Why knowing about help like 988 before crisis matters 04:36 – How 988 and the Crisis Text Line support both suicidal individuals and survivors 06:19 – The ripple effect of suicide: 135 people impacted by every death 07:30 – Lisa’s first experience with suicide loss at nine years old 08:13 – Losing her father and the silence that followed 08:58 – Discovering the truth decades later — and processing complex grief 09:23 – How suicide loss grief is unique: guilt, trauma, and unanswered questions 10:16 – How to support someone grieving a suicide loss 11:22 – The danger of judgment and how to hold compassionate space 12:43 – Why saying their loved one’s name helps more than silence 13:42 – Using 988 for grief and emotional crises, not just suicidal thoughts 14:55 – The power of speaking with others who’ve experienced suicide loss 16:05 – Why suicide is about ending pain, not abandoning loved ones 18:19 – Reassurance for those who “did everything right” but still lost someone 19:49 – Lisa’s closing message: you won’t always feel this way 20:36 – Grief as love: learning to live with loss and carry it forward 21:27 – The importance of naming and remembering the person you lost 23:33 – Crisis lines and text options: support for every kind of crisis 26:07 – Why connection — not perfection — helps save lives 27:22 – Closing reflections and reminder: depression is too dark a road to walk aloneExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/