Sue Loncar was reminiscing about her daughter Grace as she looked through a photo album. She fondly remembered Grace as a beautiful and precious child who was deeply wanted. Unfortunately, Loncar lost Grace to suicide in 2016, and she still imagines her daughter at 16, realizing she would be 23 now.
As the Executive Producer of the feature-length documentary ‘Losing Grace Finding Hope,’ Loncar is sharing her personal story with the hope of highlighting that depression does not discriminate. Through the film, she aims to show that Grace, despite being loved and seemingly successful, struggled with mental health issues that ultimately led to her tragic death.
The documentary narrates Loncar’s heartbreaking experience of losing Grace and addresses the growing epidemic of suicide. Loncar, along with family friend and Writer/Producer/Director of the film, Marcia Carroll, believe that discussing mental health openly and honestly is essential to helping those who are struggling.
In ‘Losing Grace Finding Hope,’ Loncar questions why her daughter was taken from her, but she also emphasizes the importance of showing others that there is hope and support available for those affected by suicide. The film was created in partnership with the Grace Loncar Foundation and premiered at the Greenwich International Film Festival, where it is competing for a Social Impact Grant.
The filmmakers hope that ‘Losing Grace Finding Hope’ will help break down stigmas surrounding mental health discussions and show that healing and recovery are possible, even after devastating losses. The documentary will be screened at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 30 and May 2, offering a platform to raise awareness and promote dialogue about suicide prevention and mental health issues.
For individuals seeking help or support during a crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8355), or you can text the number 988 for assistance.