Loss Survivors
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, you are not alone. There are resources available to help survivors of suicide loss cope.
How To Take Care Of Yourself
A loved one’s suicide is a challenging, confusing, and painful experience. If you're struggling, the Lifeline is always here to help.
Find a support group: You don’t have to cope with your loss alone. There are support groups specifically for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Do what feels right to you: Don’t feel pressured to talk right away. If you choose to discuss your loss, speaking can give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way.
Write: You may find it helpful to write your feelings or to write a letter to your lost loved one. This can be a safe place for you to express some of the things you were not able to say before the death.
Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to let your friends provide support to you, or to look for resources in your community such as therapists, co-workers, or family members.
How to Help
Supporting someone who has lost a loved one can feel overwhelming and complex. There are ways to help.
Accept their feelings: Loss survivors grapple with complex feelings after the death of a loved one by suicide, such as fear, grief, shame, and anger. Accept their feelings and be compassionate and patient, and provide support without criticism.
Use sensitivity during holidays and anniversaries: Events may bring forth memories of the lost loved one, and emphasize this loved one’s absence.
Use the lost loved one’s name: Use the name of the person who has died when talking to survivors. This shows that you have not forgotten this important person, and can make it easier to discuss a subject that is often stigmatized.
Get in touch
Call the Lifeline
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