2 Children, Teens and Suicide Loss Taking Care of Yourself One of the best ways to take care of a young person in the wake of a suicide loss is to make sure you take care of yourself, too. By practicing self-care, you serve as a role model to your children and reassure them they don’t have to take care of you. Here are a few guidelines that promote healing: Be Patient Know that everyone grieves at their own pace and in their own way. Give yourself time. Attend to Your Physical Needs Eat nutritiously. Drink plenty of water. Get sleep and exercise. Seek Support Connect with family, friends, clergy, and others who will listen without judgment. Many people find that counseling helps them deal with their grief in healthy ways. Reach out to other suicide loss survivors who understand what you’re going through. Many communities have support groups where suicide loss survivors can share their loss experiences and coping strategies. To find a support group near you, visit afsp.org/SupportGroups. Learn about Suicide Loss Knowing what to expect may help you get through the more difficult times. Understanding Suicide There is no single cause of suicide, and many factors may contribute to a suicide death. Having an understanding of some of these factors may help you when you talk to young loss survivors.