Dealing with Suicide
By M. Kotch
Source: Flickr.com
Every 16 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the U.S. (according to a 2006 study).
After the death of Marie Osmond’s son, the subject of suicide became the headlining topic of most major news outlets and a source of morbid curiosity for some. But for others who are living in the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide, the news served as an unpleasant reminder of the complicated nature of depression, sadness and succumbing to despair.
The difficult subject of suicide cannot be fully addressed here; friends, family and medical professionals may all be needed to help you fully understand the “how” and make peace with the “why.” This list of resources is simply meant to complement other support systems for the grief associated with dealing with suicide.
• Read a Book
Silent Grief: Living in the Wake of Suicide by Christopher Lukas.
This book does not overwhelm with hard numbers. Lukas’s writing focuses instead on discusses the five stages of grief, how they relate to dealing with a death by suicide, and on the importance of sharing your experience as a survivor.
• Learn about grieving from a medical professional
Read an insightful article.
• Know This: You Are Not Alone
Statistics show that suicide is not as rare as you might think. Examining the numbers (as clinical as that sounds) may help you understand that you’re not alone in grieving the death of a loved one by suicide.
• Join a Support Group:
Recognizing suicide survivors has been the mission at the American Association of Suicidology since 1968. The association’s Web site also provides helpful data to help loved ones understand the nature of suicide.
• Positive Steps: Raise Awareness
Consider participating in a suicide prevention charity walk to raise money for the cause and bring awareness to those living with a depressed or suicidal loved one. For more information visit: http://www.outofthedarkness.org/, the official Web site for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please visit the national suicide prevention lifeline or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
