Supporting Grieving Families

If you have lost someone to suicide, the first thing you should know, is that you are not alone. Each year over 38,000 people in the United States die by suicide -- the devastated family and friends they leave behind are known as "survivors."

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There are millions of survivors who, like you, are trying to cope with this heartbreaking loss.

Survivors often experience a wide range of grief reactions, including some or all of the following:

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• Shock is a common immediate reaction. You may feel numb or disoriented and may have trouble                concentrating.

• Symptoms of depression, including disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, intense sadness, and lack of energy.

• Anger towards the deceased, another family member, a therapist, or yourself.

• Relief, particularly if the suicide followed a long and difficult mental illness.

• Guilt, including thinking, "If only I had..."

• These feelings usually diminish over time, as you develop your ability to cope and begin to heal.

 

What Do I Do Now?

• Some survivors struggle with what to tell other people. Although you should make whatever decision          feels right to you, most survivors have found it best to simply acknowledge that their loved one died by      suicide.

• You may find that it helps to reach out to family and friends. Because some people may not know what to  say, you may need to take the initiative to talk about the suicide, share your feelings, and ask for their        help.

• Even though it may seem difficult, maintaining contact with other people is especially important during      the stress-filled months after a loved one's suicide.

• Keep in mind that each person grieves in his or her own way. Some people visit the cemetery weekly;          others find it too painful to go at all.

• Each person also grieves at his or her own pace; there is no set rhythm or timeline for healing.

• Anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays may be especially difficult, so you might want to think about              whether to continue old traditions or create some new ones. You may also experience unexpected waves  of sadness; these are a normal part of the grieving process.

• Children experience many of the feelings of adult grief, and are particularly vulnerable to feeling                  abandoned and guilty. Reassure them that the death was not their fault. Listen to their questions and try  to offer honest, straightforward, age-appropriate answers.

• Some survivors find comfort in community, religious, or spiritual activities, including talking to a trusted      member of the clergy.

• Be kind to yourself. When you feel ready, begin to go on with your life. Eventually starting to enjoy life        again is not a betrayal of your loved one, but rather a sign that you've begun to heal.

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