celebrity writers

Coping with Suicide

Strategies for Dealing with the Loss of a Family Member

Aug 28, 2008

After losing a loved one to suicide, it's imperative to find the right kind of assistance to make the grieving process less traumatic.

If you ignore your emotions, continue to live in a state of denial or don't seek any kind of support at all, the healing process will never begin. Although you might never completely recover from a loss of this nature, you can eventually move on with your life in a way that's healthy. Relatives and friends will be able to help, but only up to a point. The grieving process is long, and those close to you might not be available when you need them. That being the case, you can look for help elsewhere.

Coping Strategies

Join a support group, and you can share your story in a non-judgmental environment. You will likely make contact with other suicide survivors, and they will understand exactly what you're going through.
The raw emotions you will feel after a suicide can overwhelm you physically and mentally. If these feelings continue unresolved for a long time you'll end up harming yourself, so it's important to find some professional therapy. You must talk about what you're feeling.
Don't let anybody rush you through the grieving process. Take as much time as you need. Ask for an extended leave of absence from work if you feel it's necessary.
Take care of yourself, and get plenty of rest.
Get your anger out! You may not want to admit it, but it's there and it must be recognized. Scream, shout, cry or pound your fists against a pillow. Any of these will be helpful as long as your emotions do not stay locked up.

Things You Shouldn't Do

Never place the blame on yourself or on the deceased. It's nobody's fault.
Avoid prescription medications and alcohol to cope with grief. They will only serve to lift your mood artificially, and will not treat the real cause, which is the loss itself.
Do not let anyone else tell you how to feel, or to convince you that it's time to snap out of it and move on with your life. Remarks of this nature are presumptuous and inappropriate.

Birthdays, holidays and other special occasions will be difficult to observe. Plan ahead and anticipate waves of nostalgia combined with sadness. It will be more helpful if some close friends can be there with you.

Suicide is a devastating blow and everyone will grieve differently, but it's important to face grief head on because there's no way around it. Rebuild your life one day at a time, and when you are ready you can start living your life again.

You can survive.

The copyright of the article Coping with Suicide in Suicide is owned by Scott Hayden. Permission to republish Coping with Suicide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.