Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
With most other causes of death, it seems survivors have at least one source to “blame” for taking away a loved one, which can provide a sense of comfort and closure we humans so desperately need. Whether it’s blaming a life-threatening disease, an at-fault party in an accident, or a violent criminal, anger and sadness can be directed their way, allowing those left behind to focus on grieving the innocence of the one lost. Suicide isn’t so black ...
I feel I’ve reached quite a milestone in my grief journey, which is slightly bittersweet. Less than two weeks ago, I passed the fifth birthday following my dad’s death by suicide. He would have turned 69 this year. It's amazing to see how my emotions and reaction to this date have changed over time… Thanks to Facebook’s “See Your Memories” prompting, I scrolled through the posts I issued in his honor through the years.
In 2012, just eight ...
Twice in two days, the brutal reality of my dad’s suicide presented itself when I had to share about my family’s health history with doctors. It reminded me that even years after a loved one dies, their method of death haunts those left behind.
When visiting with a new general practitioner, she asked about my mom’s age and the state of her health. I immediately began to dread the question that would follow, “And, how about your father?” I ...
As more and more families face the loss of a loved one to suicide and deaths of this nature permeate the news, it’s easy to question why more isn’t being done to prevent future losses. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works tirelessly to share their resources and messaging in communities and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also helps.
Recently, I was surprised and “thrilled” when I received a local event notification ...
I've shared about the moment I became a survivor of suicide, but never in great detail. It is now part of who I am and I feel compelled to expand.
“Sorry for your loss.” This dispirited and ambiguous phrase plastered my Facebook Wall in the 30 minutes I stepped away from my office cubicle for a meeting. While I innocently scrolled through the posts, the weight and reality of their context remained unclear…none of them referenced exactly what I ...
