How do you keep living after the unthinkable? In this episode of Grief & Grit, we sit down with Rachael Strauss, who shares the heartbreaking yet profoundly human story of losing her younger brother, Herschel Siegel, to suicide at just 24 years old.

Rachael paints a vivid picture of Herschel’s vibrant, magnetic personality — and the painful reality of his mental health struggles, which deepened during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflects on the shock and devastation of his death, and the conscious choice she made to seek out what she calls “cushions” — small mercies and silver linings hidden inside overwhelming grief.

With raw honesty, Rachael talks about:

Breaking the silence around suicide and challenging the stigma by being open about her family’s loss
The unexpected ways her community showed up and supported her family
Her personal coping strategies, from reframing anniversaries to celebrating Herschel’s life on his birthday
Accepting that life after loss requires building “a new road”

Now living in Toronto, Canada, Rachael, a dental hygienist and one of six siblings, has turned her personal tragedy into advocacy. By sharing her story, she encourages open conversations about mental health and suicide, offering comfort and connection to others walking a similar road.

This episode is an invitation to witness one sister’s grief journey, her resilience, and her commitment to keeping her brother’s memory alive with love, honesty, and courage.

💛 If you or someone you love is in crisis, please dial 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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💛 Reminder: If you or someone you know is in crisis, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).