My friend lost her son at 23

[ShouldersBackChestOutChinUp]

He'd had health problems all his life but it was a sudden and unexpected death about six months ago.

It's such early days for her. She feels like nothing else will ever matter ever again. She doesn't care about anyone else's troubles or joys. And this in itself troubles her.

I've tried to reassure her that it's to be expected as she is in the rawest, deepest throes of grief. I think she just wants the pain to end and for other things to matter again. 😔

I don't what to say or expect for her as losing a child must be unbearable. How can I help her?

Just be available.
Text her regularly, short messages to remind her you are thinking of her. Get her some shopping, take her a meal. Offer to help with practical tasks. Has the funeral happened yet? Does she need support with arrangements? Transport? Sorting out travel/ accommodation for relatives?

Sorry, just seen it has been 6 months. This is the time when most of her friends and family are back to their busy lives. The best thing you can do is to be still there.

it's a really tough one.
I go through phases of wanting to be on my own, and phases of longing to talk to people.
I avoid young men of the same age.

I think all you can do is be guided by her, as what she wants one day may be different to how she feels the next day.

All I will say is please don't change the subject when she tries to talk about him (I'm sure you wouldn't do this, but sadly some people do).

One of my friends loss a child, in very tragic circumstances, it changes people, she would be the first to admit, that she is a totally different person now. For a parent to lose a child is not in the natural order of things. Many years down the line now, but her grief is still very raw, so 6 mths is nothing. Just be there, is all you can do.