A Father’s Grief: David Pritchard on Losing His Son to Suicide

In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with David Pritchard, a devoted father who lost his 17-year-old son, Nick, to suicide nearly 13 years ago. David bravely shares his heartbreaking yet inspiring journey through grief, reflecting on the shock, devastation, and lingering questions that come with losing a child in such an unexpected way.

 

David opens up about the overwhelming guilt, the societal stigma around suicide, and how he found the strength to keep going. Through grief support groups like The Compassionate Friends and Survivors of Suicide, as well as therapy and community, David found ways to process his pain, honor Nick’s life, and help others walking a similar path. He also shares how this loss shaped his relationship with his surviving children and what he wishes more parents knew about mental health.

 

Together, we discuss the importance of open conversations, recognizing warning signs (or the lack thereof), and how we can create a world where asking for help is seen as a strength, not a weakness. Whether you’ve lost someone to suicide or want to be a better support system for those who have, this conversation is an important one.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Compassionate Friends – Support for parents who have lost a child
• Survivors of Suicide – Support for those grieving a suicide loss
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Suicide prevention, research, and support

 

🎧 Listen now and join us in normalizing grief, one conversation at a time.