Suicide Loss
Resource Centre
Resources for individuals who have experienced the loss of someone near them to suicide, organized by media type.
Articles
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 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.
In the article, Helping Survivors in the Aftermath of Suicide Loss, Nina Gutin, Ph.D., describes what makes suicide loss unique and the optimal interventions to assist loved ones impacted. Dr. Gutin further discusses common themes in the suicide grief process, goals and tasks in suicide bereavement, the clinician's role in helping survivors integrate the loss, and key considerations and interventions to help survivors.
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.
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
When children experience a traumatic event, emotions such as fear and grief will often spill out in the classroom. Teachers have an important role in supporting the children in their classroom and can have a significant impact on students healing process.
Guides & Toolkits
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.
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.
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
Staff Grief After a Suicide is a resource for school staff who have been impacted by the suicide death of a young person or colleague. Developed by Be You and Beyond Blue (Australia), this resource provides information
Podcasts
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,
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
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 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.
Videos
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.
While most workplaces have protocols and strategies in place to handle various types of incidents, not all of them have a plan specifically designed for how to respond after a suicide. It is crucial for workplaces to be prepared with a suicide postvention plan in case they are faced with the tragic loss of an employee to suicide.
In the video, Melinda Moore, private sector co-lead of the Action Alliance Faith Communities Task Force facilitates a webinar on Responding to Suicide: a Skills-based Approach. Joining the conversation were Deacon Ed Shoener from St. Peter's Cathedral in the Diocese of Scranton
Following a suicide, faith leaders are frequently sought to offer care and assistance to the deceased person's family, friends, and the broader community. As these leaders assist others along the complex grief journey after a suicide, they may encounter specific stressors and difficulties that impact their own well-being.
In the immediate aftermath of a suicide attempt, individuals are particularly vulnerable in the days and weeks that follow. The aftercare provided is critical in reducing the risk of re-attempts and suicide deaths. In this video produced by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center,
Child Mind Institute, has produced the video, Talking to Kids About the Suicide of Someone Close to Them. Nancy Rappaport, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who works in the public school system of Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Other Media Types
While most workplaces have protocols and strategies in place to handle various types of incidents, not all of them have a plan specifically designed for how to respond after a suicide. It is crucial for workplaces to be prepared with a suicide postvention plan in case they are faced with the tragic loss of an employee to suicide.
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.
