Suicide Loss Recovery
If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts about hurting yourself and need immediate support, please call 1-800-273-8255. If you are a Veteran or you are worried about a Veteran, please press 1. You can also call 911 or proceed to your nearest Emergency Room.
All death, all loss, is not equal.
“I am still not convinced he really did this to himself.” Mary, 48, lost her husband of 20 years to suicide.
Her words have been repeated in many ways, in as many different situations, in my work with people recovering from the loss of a loved one to suicide.
The consistent theme of being completely caught off guard and shocked is part of what makes suicide difficult to manage in terms of grief.
The “what ifs” are relentless.
“What if I had gone straight home instead of stopping off at my girlfriend’s house? This question keeps running through my head!” Bernice, 23, lived with her mother who suffered from bipolar disorder.
It was not the first time her mother had done something to end her life and it was the reason mother and daughter lived together.
Making sense of it seems impossible.
“I just thought we could keep him safe. I knew he was not going to live to be an old man and I just believed he would be alive as long as we were alive.”
John, 37, like Bernice and Mary, came in because he continued to be dismayed and was beginning to struggle with the day to day.
He felt he could not talk about his brother enough and he felt his family and friends were done hearing about it.
Sharing Our Experience
Connecting with other people who have lost a loved one to suicide is part of what helps us recover.
One reason I specialize in suicide prevention, awareness and loss recovery is because I have lived experience with loss to suicide.
Working with suicide loss survivors, folks in our community, and other mental health professionals to address suicide was not the driving motivation or goal when I decided to pursue a career in social work and ultimately as a psychotherapist.
But It has been tremendously encouraging and motivating because I have seen pain turn into purpose and life changing connection that promotes healing.
Humans are not meant to grieve alone.
This is especially important when grief is tied to a loss due to suicide.
Suicide complicates grief in a unique way. I provide the space for you to share your loss, explore what living means and what that looks like in light of your loss.
Call me today for a free 20-minute consultation – (910) 470-2387 or use the contact form below.
I will help you access resources so you are not alone.