Suicide Loss
Resource Centre
Find information to help you support mental well-being and resilience for your family members, your community members, or your clients.
For Individuals
For someone impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, telling their story can be cathartic. However, when considering telling the story publicly, it's critical to determine if the story will be safe for others to hear. Created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide is a guide for
A Journey Toward Health and Hope--Handbook for Recovery After a Suicide Attempt (created by SAMHSA) assists individuals in taking initial steps towards recovery, hope and healing following a suicide attempt.
Designed for individuals recovering from a suicide attempt, SMSHA's A Guide for Taking Care of Yourself After Your Treatment in the Emergency Department provides guidance on seeking healing, fostering hope, and accessing support post-emergency room treatment.
Increased awareness of mental health issues enhances the likelihood of assisting individuals facing challenges related to mental illnesses. Yet many individuals feel uncertain about how to navigate discussions surrounding suicide or mental health
Issued by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this resource was created with input, feedback, and guidance from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, the Centre for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and individuals
Issued by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this resource was created with input, feedback, and guidance from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, the Centre for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and individuals with lived experience related to suicide.
For Friends and Family Members
For someone impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, telling their story can be cathartic. However, when considering telling the story publicly, it's critical to determine if the story will be safe for others to hear. Created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide is a guide for
Dealing with the aftermath of a suicide can be incredibly complex and challenging for family and friends, both emotionally and practically. This guide is a modified version of Alberta's Hope and Healing: A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide--developed to provide practical advice to individuals in Alberta who
Experiencing the aftermath of losing someone to suicide can be likened to riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. In this podcast, Dr. Sarra Nazem and Dr. Nina Gutin lead listeners through the personal journeys of family members and friends who have experienced such a loss. Together, they shed light on the profound impact it has on both the individuals
The tragic loss of a classmate to suicide can have a profound impact on a child, stirring a range of emotions such as confusion, sadness, and anxiety. It may create an atmosphere of uncertainty and vulnerability as children grapple with the complexities of mental health and mortality.
The Canadian Mental Health Association PEI Division has created a resource kit titled "Supporting Children and Youth to Grieve After Suicide Loss" to assist parents and caregivers in providing support to children and youth dealing with the aftermath of a loved one's suicide.
Navigating the journey of grief following a suicide is incredibly difficult, to say the least. The journey can be particularly confusing and frightening for children and adolescents who may lack the intellectual abilities, coping mechanisms, and life experiences to navigate it effectively.
For Professionals
Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt is a video resource designed to support parents navigating the aftermath of a child's suicide-related crisis.
Created by experts in veterinary medicine, suicide prevention, and survivors of suicide loss, After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces provides best practices for immediate response to a suicide, advice on helping the community grieve and cope over time,
For someone impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, telling their story can be cathartic. However, when considering telling the story publicly, it's critical to determine if the story will be safe for others to hear. Created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide is a guide for
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs--Postvention Practices for Mental Health Centers and Private Practices. In this podcast, Dr. Sarra Nazem, along with Dr. Larry Berkowitz and Eliza Jordan Dolan, LISCW from the Riverside Trauma Center, discuss their experiences and extensive knowledge in consulting, participating,
In school communities, suicide can have a ripple effect, especially for adolescent populations. To reduce the risk of additional suicides or suicidal behaviours, school psychologists need an understanding of suicide contagion and clusters. Suicide contagion refers to the phenomenon where exposure to suicidal behaviour or suicidal
The sudden and tragic suicide of a law enforcement officer can be devastating, leaving the department, family, and loved ones in shock. In order to provide the necessary support during this difficult time, it is crucial for the executive level and command staff to know how to respond effectively.
For Community Groups
Together to Live by the Centre for Suicide Prevention has created an online guide, Postvention--Supporting People After a Suicide Attempt to Death, as a resource to assist communities in developing a suicide postvention response. This online resource contains planning guides,
Ensuring a harmonious blend of administrative requirements and clinical assistance is crucial when it comes to suicide postvention in medical environments. In this podcast, Drs. Sung and Myers share their expertise in implementing suicide postvention processes
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has produced the podcast, “Postvention 101”. In this podcast, Dr. Jack Jordan lay a foundation for understanding what suicide postvention is, what it entails, who it is for, and why it is essential to a comprehensive suicide prevention plan.
Switchboard Victoria's (Australia) LGBTIQA+ community and peer-led Suicide Postvention Response Plan: Preliminary Findings (2020) presents findings from their research study and offers general guidelines for LGBTIQA+ communities and peer organizations engaged in providing postvention support following the suicide death of an LGBTIQA+ individual.
The occurrence of a student's suicide can leave a school grappling with grieving students, concerned parents, distressed school staff, media scrutiny, and a community seeking understanding. In such circumstances, schools
Postvention initiatives play a vital role in aiding individuals impacted by suicide, such as those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, and in mitigating the potential for additional suicides or crises. These initiatives encompass follow-up education, peer support, employee assistance programs,
All Resources
Parents to Parents: After Your Child's Suicide Attempt is a video resource designed to support parents navigating the aftermath of a child's suicide-related crisis.
Created by experts in veterinary medicine, suicide prevention, and survivors of suicide loss, After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces provides best practices for immediate response to a suicide, advice on helping the community grieve and cope over time,
Together to Live by the Centre for Suicide Prevention has created an online guide, Postvention--Supporting People After a Suicide Attempt to Death, as a resource to assist communities in developing a suicide postvention response. This online resource contains planning guides,
For someone impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, telling their story can be cathartic. However, when considering telling the story publicly, it's critical to determine if the story will be safe for others to hear. Created by the Centre for Suicide Prevention, Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide is a guide for
A Journey Toward Health and Hope--Handbook for Recovery After a Suicide Attempt (created by SAMHSA) assists individuals in taking initial steps towards recovery, hope and healing following a suicide attempt.
From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs--Postvention Practices for Mental Health Centers and Private Practices. In this podcast, Dr. Sarra Nazem, along with Dr. Larry Berkowitz and Eliza Jordan Dolan, LISCW from the Riverside Trauma Center, discuss their experiences and extensive knowledge in consulting, participating,
Printable Resources for Postvention Support
Suicide Postvention Counselling Poster
An 11x17 poster promoting Rapid Access Counselling for Those Impacted by Suicide Loss, offering specialized postvention support to individuals affected by suicide.
Suicide Postvention Counselling Resources Card
A 6x4 card providing a list of Saskatchewan agencies offering Rapid Access Counselling for Those Impacted by Suicide Loss, delivering specialized postvention support for individuals affected by suicide.
