EricsHouse was founded in 2017, just 18 months after we lost our youngest son, Eric, to suicide. Our mission is to support individuals in piecing together their lives after devastating loss, guiding them to heal their hearts with hope and love as they rebuild.

A bit about Eric: Eric had a sports injury during his senior year in high school. He broke a small bone in his wrist. He lost some function in his hand, and the injury caused chronic pain. Seven surgeries and five years later, he had difficulty writing. Because of his injury, he had access to unlimited prescription opioids.

So, my journey began as the mom of a young man struggling with addiction. And so did his battle with sobriety.  He fought hard.  I fought hard; Our entire family fought hard.  Eric had long periods of sobriety until, time and again, something would send him back down the rabbit hole.  Eventually, his fear of living became more powerful than his fear of dying.  Eight years later, my heart still breaks.  

Eric’s addiction is not who he was; addiction was something that happened to him. And so, his death does not define his life – but I can say that his death has reshaped mine in ways I never thought possible. 

Many of you have known someone who has lost someone, or perhaps even to highly stigmatized losses. We always hear the old cliché – there are no words. In this case it is true – the pain of these losses is beyond what our minds can imagine.  

In the early days of my grief, I remember how desperate I was for help.  I remember lying on the floor in my dark closet for weeks curled up in a ball, wishing that this was just all a bad dream.  It was several weeks before I could see a counselor familiar with suicide, but once I did, I began to realize that I could survive this. But I needed more.  I had no one to talk to, no one to understand, and no one knew how to help.   

The people in our club – the club that no one wants to be in -- are sometimes referred to as the forgotten victims – the loss survivors -- the people who have lost someone who have nowhere to turn. We grieve and mourn our losses in silence.  No one should ever go through this alone. No one who is so shattered should struggle to find the support they need. Then, EricsHouse was born.

Our mission at EricsHouse is to inspire hope, healing, and new beginnings for people who have suddenly lost someone they love. With a specialization in substance and suicide losses, we walk alongside our clients with understanding, compassion, and encouragement so that they may achieve emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. 

Please consider a donation of any size. Together, we can help heal people in need and bring joy to people who are in need of hope and encouragement.

Much Love and Appreciation,

Marianne Gouveia

In Loving Memory of Eric 💛