Tracey Briggs, MA
Health Ed. Consultant
One suicide impacts 135 people
It is called silent grief.
- Much like the difficulty we have with asking someone if they are thinking of taking their own life, our inability to assist people who are grieving the loss of a loved one is heightened because it is difficult for the person to reach out for help and others do not know how to help. The suicide loss survivor is left with a silent grief to navigate on their own.
What can you do to help?
Lean into the person who is stuck in sadness, depression, agonizing pain of loss. Get them help.
- Grief Support Groups. Research is proven to help. Provide kinship and someone to listen.
- Professional Counseling. Helps the survivor to work through the death and understand it. Also process and manage the cascade of mental health issues that the loss of a loved one can impose.
- Be a Friend. Don’t lean away. Many people feel stigmatized by the suicide so stay near and be available.
- Reminisce. Try to value the person’s life rather than dwell on their death.
- Help with the daily necessities. Watch the kids, cook, do the chores or just sit and be with the person. Ask them what you can do to be of assistance.
Suicide affects all of us.
No two people react to suicide the same way. There are many myths about suicide and there is no script to how someone who survives will grieve or what you can do to help. So, the best thing you can do is ask how you can be of support to them and learn about suicide.
During the month of September, the UNM, UNMH, OPW and HSC Suicide Awareness Planning Committee will offer workshops and events during Suicide Awareness Month. Information about the topics, presenters and events scheduled can be found HERE
