In the aftermath of a suicide loss, we look around us and question our surroundings. What once looked familiar, now looks completely unfamiliar. The world as we once knew it is gone, and we are forced to become acquainted with a new world. Leeann wrote a beautiful article reflecting on living in a world where you trust nothing. There is more to Leeann's story (as with most of us) than just a tragic loss. Her ex-husband, father of her children, ...
What Survivors of a Suicide Loss Want Others to Know
As a survivor of a suicide loss I know the isolating feeling that accompanies the loss. People don't know what to say, so often times they don't say anything at all. Translation to the person who just lost someone to suicide: "I don't care." "Are they judging me or the person I lost?" "I am all alone." "Nobody will understand so why should I even talk about it." These beliefs often lead to isolation, and I will tell you one thing we actually ...
What is Complicated Grief?
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the differences between depression and grief. While depression and grief can look similar, they are not the same. I wanted to share a recent interview I gave on The Gift of Second site where I talk about complicated grief. After losing a loved one to suicide, many experience symptoms that look similar to depression as you search to find your place in a world that no longer looks familiar. For most, the ...
Suicide: Are you joking?
This week, we welcome guest blogger Katherine Sargent to our site. Katherine talks about the many innuendos in society that cause a great deal of pain for survivors of a suicide loss. I know that I personally cringe when I see and hear them used in a joking matter. Thank you Katherine for speaking up, and helping educate society on what is and what isn't ok.
This blog title is very deep and may even elicit a response like, “Why would ...
What not to Say after a Loss by Suicide
The article, "How to help: 4 things to say to bereaved parents... and one thing NEVER to say, first appeared on The Today Show in early July. As soon as they began talking about bereavement, my eyes and ears were glued to the television. As they read through the list of things "not to say" to bereaved parents, I felt as if they were validating everything I felt in the months following my dad's suicide. There is something about a loss by ...