Coping Strategies After a Loved One’s Suicide

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide, you have a challenging journey ahead of you. Not only do you suffer heart wrenching grief from your loss, but also from the fact that she chose to take her own life. You may wonder if you could have done something to prevent it. You may feel guilty and blame yourself. You may be angry that she abandoned you. Don’t be surprised if you experience a whole range of emotions.

When you are ready to accept the tragedy and begin to heal, here are a few suggestions that may help.

1)    Take care of yourself. Grieving is emotionally and physically exhausting. Now is the time to put yourself first. Eat healthy, regular meals. Don’t overindulge in alcohol. Get plenty of rest. Your body needs to be in tip-top shape to get through this. When you protect your own well-being you will be able to meet the challenges better.

2)    Reach out. But only to those people who can give you comfort and support. The ones who are good at listening when you need to talk and the ones who can just be quietly there for you when you need silence. Steer clear of the people who suck your energy and make you tend to their needs. Remember, put yourself first during this critical time.

3)    Do it your way. Don’t let anyone else tell you how to grieve. Some people may find it’s helpful to talk about the details of a loved one’s suicide, but others may find they are not ready. Sometimes there is shame connected with suicide, which makes loved ones reluctant to talk about it with others. That may be addressed through therapy.

4)    Don’t rush. There is no timetable for grief. Just as there is no right way to grieve, there is also no right length of time to grieve. Proceed at your own pace, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s time to “snap out of it” or “get on with life” or any other bullying phrase. Those people may mean well, but they are really bullying you. Tell them your healing takes place on your schedule, not theirs.

5)    Don’t expect a linear recovery. Sometimes you take two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes you take two steps forward and three steps back. When that happens, don’t be afraid to get help. There are others, like you, who have survived the suicide of a loved one. Find a support group in which you feel comfortable. Or seek help from a qualified therapist who is empathetic.

Whatever you do, do not suffer unnecessarily without help. Remember that time does heal, and sooner or later you will feel better. That doesn’t mean that the hurt and pain will leave you completely. Anniversaries and holidays, particularly, can trigger fresh grief. But over time the intensity of that grief may lessen, and you can find peace in the memories of your loved one.

 

Nancy Travers is an Orange County Counseling professional.  If you need safe, effective counseling services, please get in touch.  You can reach her here: https://nancyscounselingcorner.com/contact-us.

 

 

If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy exploring some of our other articles that dive deeper into the topics of relationships, communication, and emotional wellness. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your current connection, better understand co-dependency, or prepare for a healthy marriage, these related posts offer valuable insights and tools to support your journey. Take a look—you may find just what you need.

Related Posts

Uncategorized
Nancy Travers

The Trifecta of Tortured Relationships: Why You Feel So Alone Together

The Trifecta of Tortured Relationships: Why You Feel So Alone Together When couples first come together, it feels like magic. You feel emotionally safe. Supported. Loved. Your partner is the one person you can count on in times of trouble and triumph—a true safe harbor. But over time, that connection can erode. You may feel alone even when you’re together. You might start to wonder: When trust breaks down, emotional

Read More »

Choose Your Partner

A friend told me that every time her husband touches her arm with affection, which is every morning as they wake up, she is stunned that he loves her. No matter what stupid stuff she did the day before, no matter how permanently flawed her personality, he demonstrates that he loves her. Unconditionally. He cherishes her and he lets her know it, even though he merely touches her arm. It’s

Read More »

What and How ADHD Affects Relationships

What ADHD Is in a Relationship Context ADHD isn’t just about distractibility or hyperactivity. It’s a neurological difference that affects: These issues don’t just show up at work or school — they show up at home, in arguments, in missed cues, and in emotional connections. 💥 How ADHD Affects Relationships 1. Forgetfulness & Disorganization 2. Inattention & Distractibility 3. Impulsivity 4. Hyperfocus (Ironically!) 5. Emotional Dysregulation 6. Uneven Responsibility ❤️

Read More »
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING SERVICES

Find The Counseling Service That Is Right For You

At Nancy’s Counseling Corner, we’re here to support every stage of your relationship journey. Whether you’re navigating challenges in your marriage, preparing for lifelong commitment through premarital counseling, or working through the emotions of separation and divorce, our services are designed with care, compassion, and expertise. We specialize in Marriage Counseling, Relationship Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Divorce Counseling, Co-dependency Counseling—and so much more. No matter where you are, healing and growth are possible. Let’s take that next step—together.

Marriage & Couples Counseling

Marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires hard work, love, care, and understanding the needs of other people.

Relationship Counseling

Can help you find–and keep–the love of your life. Relationships are challenging and require an extensive amount of patience.

Divorce Counseling

Divorce Counseling is an emotional and strenuous thought for those seeking to solve marital problems.

Depression Counseling

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by at least 10-14 days of noticeable or recognizable low mood.

Co-dependency

“Codependency” is a term we hear thrown around a lot these days, though many of us aren’t sure exactly what it means.

Premarital Counseling

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Anxiety Counseling

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Meditation

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Hypnosis

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.