My best friend lost her dad to a heart attack when she was 17. Her Dad was also my Dad’s best friend and my Dad is her Godfather. While my Dad has stepped in in many ways into the father’s role (he gave her away at her wedding, was the executor of the estate and her children call him Grandpa Steve) sometimes she admits when my Dad fills in the role she misses her Dad even more.
I almost tried suicide when I was 27. My life was worse than the pits. The pits would have been a step up.
I didn’t even change my mind to stop the initial try. Something happened that required my attention and I couldn’t do it when I had planned.
I made a rambling call to my best friend who called my parents who got me help.
When I think of all that’s happened to me since then it scares me to think how much I missed.
It was a combination of therapy and help with family and friends from serious to teasing (for example my brother saying “Wouldn’t you be poed if the Cubs won the world series the year after you died?”
And I still see someone once a week.
Your best friend and my niece lost their father’s at about the same age. My niece was 16 when he passed.