Surviving a Suicide Loss  |  Resource and Healing Guide
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•	 Don’t be afraid to say their loved one’s name, and don’t worry 
about making them cry; it hurts so much more when no one 
talks about the person they lost
Adapted with permission from The Link Counseling Center’s National Resource 
Center for Suicide Prevention and Aftercare.
The Survivor Community
Loss Survivor Stories
Knowing that others share the same experience 
can bring hope and healing.
Each survivor of suicide loss grieves in their own way, and on their 
own timeline. Connecting with others who have lost a loved one to 
suicide, and hearing how they have navigated the pain of that loss, 
is a fundamental step toward hope and healing. The videos found 
at afsp.org/LivingWithSuicideLoss can serve as a resource for 
those who want to learn how best to support loss survivors as they 
process their grief. 
Helping Children Cope
Suicide loss survivors frequently seek advice 
about how to discuss suicide with children. 
Children may express their feelings by crying, withdrawing, laughing, 
or expressing anger at you or others. Risky behavior, or fighting 
with siblings, are also common reactions. Be aware that these 
emotions and behaviors may be a response to the loss, and seek 
the right support for your child or teen. 

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