What are the Different Types of Suicide Grief Support?

For those who have lost a loved one to suicide, there are several places to find suicide grief support. Both individual and group therapy can help someone cope with suicide, and many communities have support groups for suicide survivors. For those without a support group in their area, there are a multitude of forums and websites available that may meet the same need. For some, family and friends can be a good source of suicide grief support.

Therapists and psychiatrists can be helpful in dealing with suicide grief. Simply talking to another person can help one to work through grief and learn to deal with emotions. Talking to someone who has training and experience in dealing with suicide bereavement in particular can be an invaluable source of support while dealing with grief.

Group therapy is considered one of the best ways to deal with suicide grief. These types of groups give people access not only to a trained therapist, but also allows them to listen and talk to others who are dealing with a loved one's suicide. Group therapy is usually held at a hospital or mental health practice, although any space with enough room can be used. The amount of meetings vary, and groups are typically led by a licensed therapist or psychiatrist. Participants can share their stories, talk about their emotions, and receive emotional support during a very trying time in their lives.

Many communities sponsor support groups for suicide grief. These meetings are similar to group therapy, although they typically are not led by a single person. In general, these support groups are comprised of people from all walks of life who have lost a loved one to suicide that come together to discuss their stories, feelings, and the person they lost. This type of community group, where each person is dealing with a similar situation, can be a good source of support for suicide survivors.

For those without access to a group in their community, the Internet may be a good place to make contact with other suicide survivors. Several websites offer forums where people who have lost someone to suicide can talk to each other, share their experiences, and help each other work through daily struggles. In some cases, these groups may set up meetings in chat rooms rather than posting on bulletin boards.

While many of these groups are hosted by reliable websites, it is important to limit the sharing of personal information, and to be in a good enough state of mind to understand that the level of anonymity the Internet provides can be problematic. One of the biggest issues with these types of support groups for suicide grief is the appearance of “trolls,” or those looking to cause problems, on the forums. For pesons deep in the throws of grief, these comments can be hurtful and damaging; caution is needed before participating.

Family and friends, especially those who knew the person who committed suicide, can also be a good source of support for suicide grief. While talking to an unbiased third party can be helpful, discussing emotions and the suicide with those who understand the situation intimately can be helpful. Dealing with suicide grief can be one of the most difficult things someone will ever have to do; seeking out and using the support available can be a good step towards overcoming suicide bereavement.