Grief is a human and natural response to suicide.
It is a process that each person experiences differently. Grief is expressed in many ways and there is no specific timeline, however the pain should ease with time.
Grief in response to suicide can be particularly complicated. Feelings of guilt, shame, anger, regret and blame are very common, and some people can find it difficult to be open about the cause of death because of the stigma associated with suicide.
The intensity and complexity of grief can be affected by:
- relationship with the person who died
- the circumstances surrounding their death
- existing coping strategies
- available support networks
What does grief look like?
Grief can leave us feeling out of control and overwhelmed. Some of the experiences of grief following suicide might include: