Surviving a Suicide Loss  |  Resource and Healing Guide
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However, some suicide loss survivors experience a type of grief 
that may benefit from more direct mental health support. The 
term complicated or prolonged grief refers to a grief reaction in 
which the individual seems “stuck” at the same level of intensity 
of emotions (or one specific emotion) related to the loss, and this 
is unchanging over a long period of time — at least six months 
or more. This is not to suggest that grieving is complete in six 
months, but that the intensity of the grief is unchanged for a 
six-month period or more.
Individuals experiencing complicated or prolonged grief find it 
very difficult to integrate the loss into their overall life and may 
find themselves unable to focus on any other aspect of their lives 
other than the suicide loss. They may find themselves organizing 
their lives around the loss. Others experiencing a complicated 
grief reaction may find that they are going to great lengths to 
avoid reminders of the loss, and that it is difficult to engage 
with others or their daily activities.1 Some individuals who have 
complex trauma histories or previous challenges with coping 
can be at higher risk for a complicated prolonged grief reaction 
in response to suicide loss.2 Suicide loss survivors who have a 
complicated grief reaction may also notice that they have intense 
yearning to be with their loved one that does not change over 
time, and overwhelming thoughts about the person who died.3 
If you feel that you or someone you know may be experiencing a 
complicated or prolonged grief reaction, it is important to know 
that mental health treatment, such as counseling, can help. There 
are specific treatments for complicated grief and you do not need 
to cope with it alone.4 
You can learn more about complicated grief at the Center 
for Prolonged Grief at Columbia University at 
prolongedgrief.columbia.edu.

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