Suicide

When Someone Close to You Commits Suicide

Any death of a loved one can be traumatic, but when your loved one has taken their own life, the intensity of your grief can be severe. Your sense of reality may be destroyed and everything may feel out of control. A sense of disbelief can overwhelm you. Not only must you cope with the death of your loved one, but the cause of death. Your search for answers to why may overwhelm you as you realize that you will never know the answer to your questions. Your loved one has died. You may feel consumed by the details and the circumstances of the death for a very long time. It is easy to focus on how your loved one died, rather than how she lived her life. When your heart feels heavy with grief, lighten the pain with memories of the life and love you shared.

How to Survive When Your Loved One Has Committed Suicide

Someone you love has chosen to take their life away from you. The grief experienced by survivors is intense and unique. Most survivors of suicide find that guilt, social stigma, religious conflicts and anger cause them to feel different than other grievers. A trust was broken and it will take a while before the pieces are put back together. Sherry Williams White, nurse, writer and grief specialist provides practical information for surviving the death of a loved who has completed suicide.