Grief & Joy Can Coexist: Overcoming Suicide Loss with Lisa Sugarman

Rita Mercer Author

Explore Lisa Sugarman’s journey of grief and healing, and how she turned her pain into purpose by helping others. Check out the resources included.

Grief and joy are often seen as competing forces, but as Lisa Sugarman shares in her powerful conversation on *The Daring Well Podcast*, they can coexist in transformative ways. Lisa’s journey through loss, her path to healing, and her passion to helping others offer valuable insights for anyone navigating the many complexities of grief.

Lisa’s Story: From Pain to Purpose

Lisa Sugarman is a 3x survivor of suicide loss. Her earlier grief experiences began at the young age of 9 years old, starting with the loss of her 18 year old cousin due to suicide, followed by the loss of her father to what she was initially told was a heart attack. It wasn’t until years later that she learned her father had died by suicide. Decades later, she lost a close childhood friend to suicide as well.

Lisa notes that these losses were hard and that the initial stages of grief felt "bleak and hopeless," but with time, hard work, and intentionality, she found healing through glimmers of joy. Her grief journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of living with purpose. Through her work as a crisis counselor, storyteller, advocate with many mental health agencies, as well as becoming the founder of The Help Hub, Lisa has transformed her pain into purpose, as she walks alongside providing listening support and counseling to countless others.

“Grief is bleak and hopeless in the beginning. But with time and work, you find little glimmers of joy again,”Lisa shares.

Grief and Joy: The Duality of Life

On the podcast, Lisa reflected on how grief and joy can coexist. Initially, grief can feel all-consuming, leaving very little room for anything else. Over time, small “glimmers”—moments of joy, hope, and purpose—begin to appear. These glimmers accumulate, helping to reshape a life that feels shattered.

Lisa’s work as a mental health advocate and crisis counselor is one of the many ways she's making meaning of exchanging grief for joy. She finds joy, fulfillment, and connection in helping others navigate their darkest moments, as she also honors the memory of her loved ones.  

• Grief can feel overwhelming, but small moments of joy (glimmers) help to invite in more joy and life.

A Turning Point: Finding Healing Through Sharing Her Story

Lisa’s grief journey took a positive turn when she shared her story publicly for the first time on a podcast. The overwhelming support and gratitude she received offered healing and encouragement as she showed up with vulnerability. This experience became the catalyst for her decision to use her voice to raise awareness to advocate and provide resources for others facing challenges with mental health and suicidal thoughts. Lisa's story offers hope to not stay silent. There is so much hope and connection in sharing your story. 

Signs It’s Time to Seek Help

During the conversation, Lisa and host Rita Mercer discussed how to recognize when you’re not okay and the importance of seeking support. 

• Watch for signs such as physical tension, emotional overwhelm, or persistent sadness.
• Therapy, mindfulness practices and social support are valuable resources for navigating thoughts of suicide and/or processing the loss of a loved one due to suicide.

Resources for Support

Lisa’s advocacy extends to providing accessible resources for those in need. She emphasized the importance of resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and The Trevor Project.  Both services are available 24/7 for anyone in need of crisis support.

Lisa is the founder of The Help Hub, a comprehensive mental health resource platform. The Help Hub offers curated lists of tools, strategies, and support systems tailored to various communities, demographics, and needs. From mindfulness techniques to free crisis intervention resources, The Help Hub is a valuable platform for those seeking mental health support and hope.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24/7 for crisis support.
  
• The Trevor Project: Specialized support for LGBTQ+ individuals at (866) 488-7386.

•  The Help Hub: A comprehensive resource platform for mental health tools and strategies.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Glimmers

Lisa’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the depths of grief, joy can coexist. Glimmers of light can shine through the darkest of days, there is hope. No matter what you're going through, you are never alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that help is always available. Reach out, share your story, and allow yourself to look for the glimmers —one day at a time.

To connect with Lisa, please see the links below:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLisaSugarman

Website https://www.thehelphub.co/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thehelphubonyoutube/

Until next time, keep living, loving, and Daring Well! 

Connect with us on social media @Daring Well.

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Categories: : Cope, Grief, Healing, Suicide