Thanksgiving grief: Coping with loss during the holidays

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Niko Williams will have two empty chairs at her Thanksgiving table this year.

Williams lost her cousin Marita Cole on Oct. 2 when Cole died of a heart attack in church. Cole, 61, was a mother of three and grandmother of eight. Weeks later on Oct. 18, Williams’ mother Royce Conner passed away of natural causes at age 76. Conner was a mother of four and grandmother of nine.

“I miss her everyday,” Williams said.

The holidays can be particularly difficult for those who have recently lost loved ones, according to mental health professionals. New Vista, a company that provides mental health services, reports calls to the 988 mental crisis hotline increase during the holiday months.

Coping with holiday grief

Tai Punsuchart, 988 coordinator for New Vista, offers severa