Messages of Hope
Real stories. Real hope.
Listen to the episode
This episode discusses suicide and grief. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
When someone you love dies by suicide, grief can feel overwhelming, isolating and unlike any other kind of loss.
Mark Worthing shares the deeply personal story of losing his son to suicide and what he has learned about living with grief in the years since. He speaks candidly about the pain that remains, the importance of having people who are willing to listen, and why healing does not necessarily mean “getting over” what happened.
Mark also reflects on the hope he finds in a God who understands suffering and remains present in the darkest moments.
For anyone grieving a suicide, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers honesty, practical wisdom and the reassurance that you do not have to carry your pain alone.
Key takeaways from this episode
- You may never “get over” profound grief, but you can become better at carrying it.
Mark describes realising that the loss of his son would always be part of his life. Healing was not about forgetting or eliminating the pain, but gradually learning to live alongside it — and allowing moments of laughter, enjoyment and joy to return without guilt. - God does not stand at a distance from our suffering — He meets us in it.
Mark found comfort in recognising that God understands grief and loss. Faith gave him permission to be honest about his sadness, anger and questions, trusting that God could remain present with him even in his deepest pain. - Supporting someone who is grieving is more about being present than finding the perfect words.
People can withdraw because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing, but silence and avoidance can make grief even more isolating. Mark encourages people to acknowledge the loss, listen and resist the urge to fix the person or claim to know exactly how they feel. - Professional support is important, but it should not replace personal connection.
Helplines and professional services can be invaluable, but Mark cautions against simply handing someone a phone number and stepping away. When possible, staying, listening and sharing the moment with them can be just as meaningful. - Good can grow from tragedy without making the tragedy itself ‘worth it’.
Mark says his experience has made him more compassionate and better able to support others, but he is careful not to suggest that positive outcomes somehow justify what happened. Instead, helping others can become a way of honouring the person who has died and finding meaning while still acknowledging the loss. - Grief is a burden that was never meant to be carried alone.
One of Mark’s strongest messages is to resist bottling up grief. Sometimes support looks like talking; other times it is simply sitting together, accompanying someone to the cemetery or quietly being nearby. Through the presence of others — and through God — Mark believes there remains hope, healing and the possibility of a new beginning.
Episode transcript
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Related booklet
Discover God’s purpose in your life. Gain a deeper understanding about God’s plans for you. See how God will make the most of your talents and abilities that God has given you.
