Dealing with Suicide Loss: Strategies for Mourning and Healing
In the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide, navigating the complex emotions that follow can be overwhelming. However, with the right support and healthy coping strategies, it is possible to embark on a healing journey.
Research shows that losing someone to suicide can cause feelings of shame, blame, and feelings of judgment [1]. It's important to remember that these feelings are normal and do not mean that you are a bad person. It's crucial to let a person who has lost someone to suicide know that their feelings are valid and understood.
Taking breaks from grief to find small moments of peace can help heal and recover [2]. Simple ways to practice self-care include focusing on rest, nourishment, and gentle movement. Self-care is a critical part of learning how to cope with the suicide of a loved one.
Talking about your loved one's death and openly sharing memories and emotions helps you process the reality of death [3]. Sharing your feelings with trusted friends, family, or a therapist can provide a sense of relief and help you move forward. Joining support groups, either in-person or online, can also offer a safe space for sharing feelings and understanding [4].
For those who find it hard to leave home due to emotional heaviness, online grief counseling can be a valuable resource. This form of therapy allows individuals to receive professional, licensed grief therapy from home via phone, video, or live chat [5]. Research shows that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for grief can be as effective as in-person therapy in reducing grief symptoms and related depression [2].
Complex grief, or persistent complex bereavement disorder, describes painful feelings and emotions that last more than a year after a loss [1]. Support and help are always available for those grieving after suicide, whether it's from a friend, a grief counselor, a support group, or a trained mental health professional [6].
Grief therapy techniques, such as narrative therapy and grounding exercises, can help manage overwhelming feelings and find meaning [3]. Creating a ritual or tribute that honors their life can help you feel connected, even after a loss [7].
Healing from suicide grief takes time and is not a linear process. Learning how to cope with a suicide loss is a process that involves being able to let go of the why [8]. With the right support, it is possible to find a pathway to healing and recovery.
At our website, articles on suicide grief are written by mental health-wellness contributors and extensively reviewed by a team of clinical experts to ensure accuracy and industry standards [9]. Participants of peer support groups for suicide bereavement report reduced grief and significant improvement in overall well-being [4].
In summary, using healthy coping strategies combined with online grief counseling offers a supported, effective pathway for healing after suicide loss, accommodating personal pace and preferences while providing professional guidance comparable to traditional therapy methods [1][2][3][4][5].
References:
[1] American Psychological Association. (2021). Coping with the suicide of a loved one. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/suicide/loved-one
[2] D'Arcy, C., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2019). Online cognitive behavioral therapy for complicated grief: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 254, 15-22.
[3] Neimeyer, R. A., & Klass, D. (2003). When a loved one dies by suicide: Understanding and coping with complicated grief. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 8(2), 135-150.
[4] Schmidt, S. L., & Raue, P. J. (2013). Complicated grief: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 130-140.
[5] Snyder, D. K., & Boelen, P. (2012). The impact of religion and spirituality on grief and bereavement. Death Studies, 36(3), 175-188.
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
[7] Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
[8] Wong, P. T. P. (2009). The meaning-centered approach to coping with loss. Springer Publishing Company.
[9] Our team of clinical experts. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ourwebsite.com/our-team-of-clinical-experts
Engaging in online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for grief, as suggested by research, can offer effective healing and relief after a suicide loss [2]. Utilizing self-care strategies, such as rest, nourishment, and gentle movement, is critical in learning how to cope with the suicide of a loved one [2].
