Angry at someone who died by suicide? It's okay. CW: suicide loss, grief, anger There's an emotion that shows up after suicide loss that no one really talks about. Not sadness — everyone expects that. Not shock or confusion or even guilt. Those get airtime. I'm talking about anger. At them. The person you lost. The person you loved. The person who left. I was immediately furious at my dad after he died. It scared me. My brother can attest to hearing it as soon as he called to

CW: suicide, suicide loss, systemic failures, mental health One of the most painful things about losing someone to suicide isn't just the loss itself. It's the way the world talks about it afterward. They took the easy way out. It was selfish. They must not have been strong enough. I've heard all of these — sometimes from strangers, sometimes from people who should have known better. And every time, I want to ask (and have started poking, gently): Do you have any idea what yo

CW: suicide loss, grief, trauma responses No one told me grief would begin to live in my body or that it would impact my nervous system for the foreseeable future. Once I was able to accept what had happened, I expected the sadness. I expected the crying, the fog, the heaviness that makes getting out of bed feel like an athletic event. What I didn't expect was the way my body would change — the way it would start responding to the world differently, like it had been reprogram

CW: suicide loss, grief For a long time after my dad died, I was a detective. I replayed conversations. I analyzed text messages. I interrogated my own memories like a witness who couldn't keep her story straight. What did he say that Tuesday? Did his voice sound different? Was that comment a clue I missed? I wasn't just grieving. I was investigating. I thought if I could just figure out why, something would click into place. The chaos would organize itself into a narrative t

Content Warning: Suicide loss, grief, death You probably know someone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Actually, let me say that differently. More than 42% of American adults know someone who has died by suicide. That's nearly half of us. Over 48,000 Americans die by suicide every year. That means approximately 135 people today. And by some estimates, each suicide loss profoundly affects at least 135 other people. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Photo: Aaron

Content Warning: suicide loss Fourteen years ago, my world cracked open when my father died by suicide. I had just turned 27, and I didn't think I knew everything but I thought I had a pretty good idea of how life worked. I thought I knew who I was. Looking at my shattered worldview in front of me, I humbly realized I didn't know shit. To the Me Who Was Drowning Marshall. I see you there in your grief fog, barely able to string sentences together. The anxiety only made worse

The rhythms of life in Western North Carolina shifted dramatically when Hurricane Helene swept through our mountain community this...

It was around this time last year when I lost a close friend. The pain of that loss is still pretty fresh, a wound that hasn't fully healed. But it's not just this loss that weighs heavily on my heart. Over the past several years, I've experienced a series of losses, including the sudden death of my father 13 years ago, the passing of several friends and most recently, my canine companion. Each loss has left its mark, creating a tapestry of grief that's complex and sometimes

CW: suicide loss Losing someone to suicide is one of the most painful experiences imaginable. The grief can feel like a relentless storm, battering your heart and soul. But I've learned that healing is possible, even when the pain seems unbearable, and learning the ways my particular self and system functions has helped me cope after suicide loss. Let me share what has helped me through this journey, from the depths of my heart. The grief of losing my dad to suicide in 2011

CW: suicide, mental health Have you ever wondered how suicide prevention became a national priority? Have you also wondered how it can be...

Losing a loved one brings profound pain. Whether from death, a breakup, or changing life circumstances, grief expresses the depth of our...

Losing a loved one to suicide spurs countless questions around the “why” and “how”. In our search for answers, misunderstandings arise about factors leading to suicide. Myths can negatively impact those grieving and fuel stigma. By learning facts on suicide and sharing real stories, we gain insight for prevention while reducing misconceptions. Image by Md Abdul Rashid/Pixabay Six Myths About Suicide versus the Facts Myth #1: Suicide happens without warning signs. Fact: Most

In the silent aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide, emotions become a turbulent sea, with waves of guilt, anger, and profound grief crashing against the shores of our existence. This blog invites you to navigate the complex labyrinth of feelings that survivors grapple with in the wake of such a devastating loss. From the weight of self-blame to the isolating shadows of stigma, we embark on a journey through the heartache, shedding light on the common struggles that weav

As winter's embrace settles upon us, and the world seems to slow down, the Winter Solstice arrives as a symbol of both darkness and the promise of light. For those navigating the difficult journey of grief during this season, holiday joy may feel insurmountable and out of reach. Seeking solace in the Winter Solstice can be a source of comfort. This article provides winter solstice blessings for grieving. May this celestial event bring healing and gentle soothing to all beings

The winter season can be particularly challenging for survivors of suicide loss, as the shorter days and colder weather can amplify feelings of grief and sadness. However, incorporating specific tools and tricks into your daily routine can make a significant difference in navigating the winter blues. Image by Arek Socha/Pixabay I've found multiple ways to improve my winters after losing my father to suicide. I used to dread the winter and even the first signs of autumn and co

Losing a loved one to suicide is an indescribable and painful experience that leaves a lasting impact on those left behind. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimates that each suicide impacts roughly 135 people though that may be conservative when it comes to deaths of celebrities or a student on a college campus, for example. Anniversaries and holidays can intensify the grief, making it crucial for survivors to find healthy ways to cope during these challengin

The human spirit possesses an incredible capacity for resilience, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of survivors of suicide loss. These individuals have faced a tragedy that goes beyond the bounds of normal grief, challenging the very foundations of their beliefs and understanding of the world. In the aftermath of such a profound loss, survivors emerge as some of the strongest people, rebuilding their shattered worldviews from the ground up. Image by

If you've lost a loved one to suicide, you know the depths of sorrow that can surround you, especially in the first few months after the loss. Being confronted with such a traumatic experience can be incredibly challenging, and it is difficult to remember oneself amidst the swirling and incessant thoughts of the person who died. Positive affirmations can serve as powerful tools in coping with suicide loss. They can promote healing and remind us of our need (and right) to self

The loss of a loved one to suicide is a heartbreaking and complex experience that requires careful support from friends and family. When the option of support from other survivors of suicide loss isn’t within reach, let’s explore some meaningful ways to provide comfort and solace to a friend who is grieving a loss by suicide. Image: Vicki Nunn/Pixabay 1. Active Listening and Open Communication: Individuals experiencing grief often need someone to talk to about their feelings,