If you have lost someone to suicide, the most important thing you should know is that you are not alone. One of every 65 Americans has lost a loved one to suicide, and there are 4.6 million survivors in the United States alone. Like you, the millions affected are trying to cope with this heartbreaking loss. Each of these deaths reverberates through families, workplaces, schools, communities and the other social networks in our lives.
Every year over 33,000 people in the United States die by suicide — the devastated family and friends they leave behind are known as “survivors. Many survivors have gone on to deal with their loss by developing tools and resources to help prevent suicide and spare others the pain they have experienced. They often share their experience of loss in “suicide survivor support groups” that help them deal with their shattering grief.
To find a suicide survivor support group in your area click here
Fatal Mistakes: Families Touched by Suicide (DVD) From AFSP.org – This 45-minute film chronicles the recovery of several families in the aftermath of suicide. These “survivors” share their common experience with the hope that they will comfort others experiencing similar grief and prevent others from experiencing the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. The film includes interviews with several of America’s leading researchers and clinicians on the latest advances and trends in suicide prevention research, as well as warning signs, risk factors and appropriate treatments for suicidal patients. Learn More Here
