Welcome!
This month, we recognize International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday, November 18th. Many of you have lost someone to suicide or know someone in your life who has been impacted. Survivors Day aims to raise awareness about suicide loss, encourage support and connection for suicide loss survivors, and reduce stigma by encouraging open conversation about suicide loss. In this edition, learn more about available resources and how to support suicide loss survivors.
Best wishes,
The Rocky Mountain MIRECC Team
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) offers information on how to recognize International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. To connect with your local AFSP chapter or to find information about local Survivor Day events, visit the event page.
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Supporting Loss Survivors
Many suicide loss survivors feel alone after experiencing the suicide of a loved one or friend. Beyond the stigma that exists around suicide, many people are reluctant to approach a suicide loss survivor because they don’t know what to say or how to offer support. AFSP’s Talk Away the Dark campaign provides practical suggestions on how to talk to a suicide loss survivor. You can play an active role in reducing stigma and preventing suicide by connecting with someone who has been impacted by suicide loss.
Is Suicide Grief Different from Other Types of Grief?
While grief after losing someone to suicide shares similarities to other types of grief, there are also some unique facets of suicide grief. In addition to universal grief reactions such as sadness, pain, and yearning for the person who died, suicide loss survivors may also experience:
- the need to make sense of the death and answer “why?”
- guilt or blame for not preventing the death
- feelings of abandonment or rejection that the person chose to leave
- shame and stigma
- avoidance and/or isolation from social support
- symptoms of trauma
- increased thoughts of suicide
Losing someone to suicide can lead to complicated and unexpected emotions. Know that there are resources available to support suicide loss survivors.
Uniting for Suicide Postvention (USPV)
Suicide postvention refers to providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss. Postvention is critical to promote healing after suicide and reduces suicide risk for loss survivors.
Find out more about suicide postvention by visiting the Uniting for Suicide Postvention (USPV) website, a public resource that focuses on postvention education for community, providers, and workplace settings.
In honor of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, we encourage you to visit the Community Section of the USPV Website to listen to stories from loss survivors. Sharing these stories can play an invaluable role in the healing process.
VA Employees can access more information on VA specific postvention resources and learn about the monthly Postvention Community of Practice Call by visiting the USPV SharePoint (only accessible to VA employees).
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Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM)
Health care providers as loss survivors
Many providers will lose a patient to suicide at some point during their career. This loss can have a profound impact—both personally and professionally. In this situation, it’s important to know… You are not alone.
You may experience a range of grief reactions, professional self-doubt, and fear of blame. Healing often involves seeking support, allowing oneself to grieve, and engaging in self-care.
The impact of suicide in the workplace
Suicide in the workplace can have a significant impact on individual employees, company culture, and the workplace environment. Leaders’ actions make a tremendous difference after a workplace suicide. Offering support to employees is critical to encourage healing and reduce suicide risk for those affected.
SRM is available to VA or non-VA community providers serving Veterans who would like support surrounding a suicide loss and/or to consult on suicide postvention practices.
Visit SRM online at www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/consult/
or send us an email SRMConsult@va.gov to request a consult.
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Postvention Resources
In addition to the resources listed above, consider visiting the follow community websites:
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