Understanding Suicide Loss | Voices of Loss Survivors | Additional Resources

UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE LOSS

It is common for family members and friends to experience changes in their social, emotional, and physical functioning after the suicide death of someone they know. This USPV section provides an overview of the impact of suicide loss, common reactions during suicide-specific bereavement, and ways to support suicide loss survivors.

After a Suicide Loss: Many Lives Touched

This infographic provides a visual representation of the expansive impact of suicide loss. Historically, it was believed that approximately six people were exposed to any given suicide loss. Now, we know that exposure to suicide loss is much more widespread as 135 people are touched by a single suicide (Cerel, 2018). This means that the impact of suicide loss extends beyond just close family members and friends—neighbors, coworkers, former classmates, and even your local coffee shop barista likely know someone who has died by suicide.

Download PDF of After a Suicide Loss: Many Lives Touched

Podcast: Postvention 101

Check out the “Postvention 101” podcast to hear Dr. Jack Jordan lay a foundation for understanding what suicide postvention is, what it entails, who it is for, and why it is essential to a comprehensive suicide prevention plan. Jack Jordan, PhD is a clinical psychologist, grief therapist and published researcher in the field.

 View Episode Details

Reactions to Suicide Loss: Common, but Unique

This infographic can be a helpful tool for those who are experiencing grief following the suicide loss of someone they knew. Common reactions to a suicide loss include feelings of sadness, disbelief, anger, guilt, and shock. However, everyone’s reaction is unique and can include any combination of these emotions—or perhaps none. If you want to support someone who is experiencing a loss and don’t know where to start, consider downloading this graphic and printing it out for them to reference as they move through their individual grieving process.

Download PDF of Reactions to Suicide Loss: Common but Unique

Connecting with a Suicide Loss Survivor

If someone you know has lost a loved one to suicide, it can be particularly difficult to know when and how to step in and help. This infographic provides practical suggestions on how to offer support to suicide loss survivors, including active listening techniques, validation, and ways to honor the person who died. It is designed so that you can select the options that work best based on unique situations and needs.

Download PDF of Connecting with a Suicide Loss Survivor

Postvention Support from a Distance

This guidance document provides recommended ways to connect with and support suicide loss survivors when it is not possible to do so in person (e.g. during national emergencies/pandemics, in rural areas, or when loved ones live far away).
View Document

Alliance of Hope

The Alliance of Hope was created by survivors for survivors and provides online healing support and other services for people who are coping with loss to suicide. The Alliance of Hope online forum operates like a 24/7 support group. In addition, the website contains support resources and information on the survivor experience. Visit allianceofhope.org to learn more and connect with other suicide loss survivors.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

If you are a provider working with a Service Member, Veteran or family members who have experienced a suicide loss, please connect them to TAPS for resources and support. Loss survivors and providers can reach TAPS 24/7 at 800-959-TAPS (8277) or visit www.taps.org/suicide to learn more and get connected.

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) mission is to promote the understanding and prevention of suicide and support those who have been affected by it.

USPV developed a postvention podcast series in collaboration with AAS. The series includes episodes for suicide loss survivors, workplaces touched by suicide loss, and medical and mental health providers. You can listen to the podcasts, or check out a description of the podcast series.

VOICES OF OTHER LOSS SURVIVORS

Losing someone in your life who died by suicide is a complex process that can involve unfamiliar emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, which may leave you feeling alone and disconnected from others. Hearing stories from other loss survivors can play an invaluable role in the healing process by helping you regain a sense of normalcy and connection after a profoundly painful event. In this section of USPV, several suicide loss survivors share their personal accounts of grief after losing someone to suicide.

Alyssa T. Caselli-Allen, Staff Sergeant, USAF

English with Audio Description | En Español | En Español con Descripción de Audio

Jack Cohenour, SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)

English with Audio Description | En Español | En Español con Descripción de Audio

John Moran, UT3 (SCW), US Navy

English with Audio Description | En Español | En Español con Descripción de Audio

Podcast: Suicide Loss Experience

The time after losing a loved one to suicide can feel like being on a rollercoaster blindfolded. Check out the following podcast, featuring Dr. Nina Gutin, to hear more about the lived experiences of family members and friends after a suicide loss. Dr. Gutin highlights ways to seek, and provide, support for oneself or loved ones including children and adolescents. Dr. Nina Gutin is a suicide loss survivor, clinical psychologist, and pioneer in the field of suicide postvention.

View Episode Details

Blogs: Suicide Loss Experiences

Sibling Suicide Loss: Grieving Alone and Surviving Together - Written by Lena Heilmann

“In November 2012, I lost my sister Danielle to suicide. She had just turned 24; she would be turning 32 this year. As her older sister, I felt protective of her throughout her life and had to confront intense guilt and loneliness when she died…” Read More

If you would like to share your journey processing and healing after suicide loss, please email USPV@va.gov to learn how to do so.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Alliance of Hope

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Additional Postvention Readings & Podcasts

Readings and Podcasts for Suicide Loss Survivors - by Uniting for Suicide Postvention (USPV)

Workplace Suicide Postvention Podcast Series

If you are interested in additional postvention podcasts, click here. These podcasts highlight the importance of postvention in every workplace, including schools, medical and mental health centers, general workplaces, crisis centers, and military settings.

Connect with Suicide Loss Survivors

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Healing Conversations - connect (in person, by phone, or by video call) with experienced AFSP volunteers who are themselves suicide loss survivors

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Support Groups - search by zip code to find support groups near you

Friends for Survival - suicide loss survivor programs, events, and a comprehensive manual for starting suicide bereavement programs/groups

Samaritans Hope - grief support services

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) - grief support and resources for suicide loss survivors

Communities of Support

Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative

Indian Health Service - Suicide Prevention and Care Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Postvention Alliance - resources for suicide loss survivors and attempts

LGBTQ+ Resources

The Trevor Project - suicide prevention and postvention resources for the LGBTQ+ community

Resources for Parent and Sibling Suicide Loss Survivors

Helping Parents Heal

Parents of Suicide and Friends and Families of Suicide

Sibling Survivors

Resources for Children and Families

Comfort Zone Camp - grief camp for children

The Dougy Center - services for grieving children and families

Eluna Network’s Camp Erin - grief camp for children

Friends for Survival - resources for children

National Alliance for Grieving Children

Postvention Alliance - postvention resources for children and teens

Talking to Children About Suicide Loss - by Together We Can (Department of Veterans Affairs)

How to Talk to Children about a Suicide Attempt in your Family - by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention (Department of Veterans Affairs)

If you are a medical or mental health provider who has lost someone to suicide (personally or professionally), check out the Providers section of USPV.

If you are looking to start offering postvention in your workplace, check out the Workplace section of USPV.