When someone loses a partner to suicide, their grief journey is vastly different from other people. Sarah Johnston’s life changed forever in 2016 when her spouse took her own life, and now she wears purple every day to honor her late husband’s memory. In our conversation, Sarah looks back on how she discovered the right support group to guide her through the grieving journey, which is unfortunately riddled with stigma and blame when it comes to suicide loss. She also opens up on how she deals with people who put her under scrutiny for her husband’s death, showing them compassion instead of hatred.

I am sharing my experience of loving the same man for 32 years, a mother to two adult children, a retired military officer, a breast cancer survivor, and my connections with others.

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their country: Psychology Today Suicide Hotlines and Prevention Resources Around the World.