Suicide grief: Making meaning out of loss
This flyer provides coping strategies for people who have been touched by suicide.
Support for Suicide Loss Survivors
After A Suicide Loss
Healing from a suicide loss is deeply personal, and no one approach works best for everyone. Seek the support and resources that resonate with you. Making meaning out of such a loss can be a long and difficult process, but with time and support, it is possible to find ways to remember and honor your loved one while moving toward healing and acceptance.
Suicide grief: Making meaning out of loss
Below are some strategies that may help you make meaning out of a suicide loss and begin the process of healing.
- Seek professional help: Consider working with a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor specializing in grief and loss. They can provide you with guidance and support tailored to your specific needs.
- Connect with support groups: Joining a support group for survivors of suicide loss can be beneficial. These groups offer a safe space to share experiences, emotions, and coping strategies with others who have gone through similar experiences.
- Educate yourself: Learning about suicide, mental health, and the factors that may have contributed to your loved one’s struggles can help you gain a better understanding of their experience and reduce stigma.
- Remember your loved one: Create a meaningful way to remember and honor your loved one’s life. This could include setting up a memorial, planting a tree, or participating in an event or charity in their memory.
- Express your emotions: Allow yourself to feel and express the range of emotions accompanying grief—sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, and more. Acknowledging and processing these feelings is essential rather than bottling them up.
- Write or journal: Consider keeping a journal or writing letters to your loved one to express your thoughts and feelings. This can be a therapeutic private outlet for your emotions.
- Practice self-care: Caring for your physical and emotional well-being is crucial while grieving. Ensure you eat well, get regular exercise, and get enough rest.
- Find meaning in helping others: Some people find meaning in their loss by using their experience to help others who may be struggling with mental health issues or who have experienced a similar loss. Volunteering for a mental health organization or suicide prevention program can be a way to give back and find purpose.
- Create new rituals and traditions: Consider creating new rituals or traditions that help you commemorate your loved one on special occasions, anniversaries, or holidays. These rituals can provide a sense of connection and continuity.
- Understand that healing takes time: Grief is a unique and non-linear process. Be patient with yourself and allow time for healing. There is no set timeframe for starting to feel better.
- Seek spiritual or faith-based support: If you have faith or are part of a religious community, you may find solace and support through your faith and spiritual practices.
Downloadable resources
To access and share this information, use the following downloadable PDFs.
Supporting someone experiencing suicide loss
This flyer discusses appropriate ways to comfort suicide survivors.
Common misconceptions of suicide
This flyer dispels common myths about suicide.
Why do people die by suicide?
This flyer discusses the complexities of why someone may die by suicide.
Supporting someone experiencing suicide loss
Supporting someone who has experienced a suicide loss can be challenging, but it’s essential to be there for them during this difficult time. Here are some guidelines on how to appropriately help someone who is experiencing a suicide loss:
Be there and listen.
Be present. Listen. Let the person know you are there to support them whenever they need to talk or just be with someone.
Avoid judgment, criticism, or trying to provide immediate solutions. Allow them to express their feelings and thoughts without interruption.
Show empathy and understanding.
Understand they may be going through intense emotions like guilt, anger, confusion, and sadness. Let them know that these feelings are normal.
Use empathetic statements such as, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” or “I’m here for you, and I care about how you feel.”
Avoid insensitive comments.
Be mindful of your choice of words. Avoid saying things like, “I know how you feel” or “It’s for the best.” Instead, acknowledge their pain without trying to compare or minimize it.
Encourage getting professional help.
Gently suggest that they seek professional help, such as therapy or counseling. Grief can be overwhelming, and trained professionals can provide valuable support.
Offer to help them find a therapist or counselor if they’re unsure where to start.
Be patient.
Understand that grief doesn’t have a set timeframe. People grieve differently and at their own pace.
Continue offering support even after some time has passed. Grief can resurface, especially around anniversaries or triggering events.
Assist with practical matters.
Offer assistance with practical tasks such as meal preparation, housework, or childcare if they’re comfortable with that. Grieving individuals may struggle to focus on daily responsibilities.
Encourage self-care.
Remind them of the importance of self-care. Encourage them to eat well, get enough rest, and engage in activities that bring them comfort and relaxation.
Stay connected.
Continue reaching out regularly, even if it seems they’re doing better. Isolation can exacerbate feelings of grief and loneliness.
Respect their privacy.
Understand that they may not want to discuss the details of the loss, and that’s okay. Respect their boundaries and only offer support where they’re comfortable.
Educate yourself.
Take the time to learn about suicide, grief, and mental health to better understand what your loved one is going through. This knowledge will help you offer more effective support.
Your role is to provide emotional support, not to “fix” the person’s grief. Grieving is a unique and personal process, and your presence and empathy can make a significant difference in their healing journey. If you believe they are in immediate danger or need urgent help, do not hesitate to call emergency services or a crisis hotline like 988.
Free grief support packets
Suicide loss grief support packet
This grief support packet includes all of the information on this page. Download and share.