How do you deal with grief?

Our question this week was:

Hi Dr. Debra – My name is Sally – my daughter lost her cat about 2 months ago and she is…inconsolable. It sounds strange but she has even talked about suicide because she misses her cat molly so much. Do you have any advice.

Sally.

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. Sally – I’m very sorry to hear about your daughter. Grief is a funny thing – it can really affect some people in different ways. It is really hard to loose a beloved pet. I know that from personal experience. I’ve seen clients have similar reactions to your daughter.

When someone states they are considering suicide – I take that VERY seriously. It is a cry for help. I’d rather not tell you little things to do or say…I’d recommend that you get her professional help.

You can call a local counselor or contact some grief hotlines to find out your first step.

Below are some numbers as well as some websites that might be helpful.