🕊️ Navigating the Storm: How Mental Health Is Impacted by Loss and How We Can Truly Support Each Other

By Jeannette Bryan aka @Fenxnette

Losing someone you love changes you.

Not just emotionally—but mentally, spiritually, energetically. It reconfigures your world. It silences a space you never imagined could be quiet. And for many of us, the aftermath is not just about grief—it’s about learning how to function again when the world expects you to “bounce back” like nothing happened.

A woman trying to clear her mind

Let me speak from truth—grief doesn’t end. It evolves.

I lost my mother, MaMa Sunshine—a woman who wasn’t just a parent, but a light, a guide, a powerful energy in every room she entered. Her absence still echoes. Some days I smile through it. Some days I crumble. But through it all, I’ve learned one unshakable truth:

Mental health needs to be protected just as fiercely as physical health.

🧠 The Invisible Weight of Grief

Loss has a way of isolating us. It convinces us no one could possibly understand the depth of our pain. And sometimes, we start to believe it. That’s when the spiral can start—withdrawal, anxiety, depression, guilt. You begin to feel like a shadow of yourself, and pretending to be “okay” becomes a full-time job.

I’ve felt that fog. That numbness. That inner scream for a reset button.

And that’s why I speak on this—because if you’ve ever felt it too, I want you to know:You are not alone.

Supporting Hug

💛 How to Support Someone Going Through Loss

Supporting someone in their darkest moments is an act of love—and a delicate one. Here's what I’ve learned about showing up for others:

1. Don’t rush their process.

Healing has no timeline. Avoid phrases like “You’ll be okay soon” or “At least they’re in a better place.” Just say: “I’m here. I see your pain. Take all the time you need.”

2. Check in without expectations.

Sometimes, all someone needs is a “thinking of you” message. Not a demand for conversation, just a reminder that you care.

3. Offer practical support.

Grief makes even simple tasks exhausting. Offer to bring food, help with errands, or handle small tasks that can feel overwhelming.

4. Hold space.

Let them cry. Let them be angry. Let them say nothing. Be the space they can safely unravel in.

5. Encourage professional help.

Sometimes, the strongest thing we can do is say, “It’s okay to talk to someone.” Therapy isn’t weakness—it’s powerful restoration.

🦋 For Those Still Grieving...

To anyone still grieving quietly: I see you. I honor your pain. You are not broken—you are rebuilding.

Grief is love with nowhere to go, so let it guide you—not drown you.Write. Cry. Pray. Sit in silence. Scream into a pillow.Whatever your healing looks like—allow it.

And remember: It’s okay to find joy again. You’re not betraying your loved one. You’re honoring them by living fully.

🌤️ In Memory, In Motion

I carry my mother’s light with me every day. Her voice in my decisions. Her warmth in my laughter. Her strength in my silence. And through her memory, I channel healing into the lives of others.

Let’s break the stigma. Let’s talk about mental health. Let’s become safe spaces for one another—especially in moments of loss.

We don’t move on from grief. We move with it. And together—we move forward.

With love, light, and legacy,– Jeannette Bryan aka Fenxnette

#MentalHealthAwareness #GriefSupport #HealingJourney #SupportEachOther #FenxnetteSpeaks #InMemory #MentalWellness #Resilience #MentalHealth #LegacyHealing