When the Holidays Hurt: Suicide Loss, Insomnia & Finding Joy Again

Half a Sorrow Foundation: www.halfasorrow.org Book a Talk with Dennis Gillan: https://halfasorrow.org/book-a-talk/ Make a Donation: https://halfasorrow.org/support-our-work/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HASF2020 Camo Hat Club: https://halfasorrow.org/the-camo-hat-club-half-a-sorrow/ In this episode of It's a Tough Subject, Dennis and Jessica get real about something many of us feel but rarely say out loud: how exhausting, lonely, and triggering the holiday season can be—especially after a suicide loss. They share candid stories about: The first holidays after losing a loved one to suicide How anniversaries, survivor day, and family dynamics can reopen old wounds Why sleep is one of the most underrated mental health tools Insomnia, 3 a.m. racing thoughts, and practical sleep tips (dark room, cold room, white noise, routines) The impact of social media, doomscrolling, and constant notifications on anxiety and depression Setting boundaries with the internet and creating healthier habits in 2026 The Camo Hat Club – a men's group built around connection, breakfast, and NOT suffering in silence How to move from just surviving to actually thriving after loss Through humor, honesty, and hard-won wisdom, Dennis and Jessica remind us that: "You don't just want to be a survivor. You want to be a thriver."