Toolkit

For Families and Loved Ones Navigating a Suicide Loss

Self-Help Tools and Practices

Self-help tools cannot take away the pain of losing someone to suicide, but they can offer moments of steadiness, connection, and relief in the midst of intense grief. Many people find that journaling, mindfulness, and creative remembrance projects help them express what feels unsayable, stay connected to their person, and move through grief at their own pace.

These tools are not "homework" or requirements; they are options you can try, return to, or set aside as needed. Grief after suicide is often complicated and exhausting, so it can help to approach any new practice gently—short, simple steps are enough. You might choose one idea from this section to explore now and come back to others later.

Journaling prompts

Writing can give painful thoughts and emotions a safe place to land when speaking them aloud feels impossible or unsafe. Research and clinical experience suggest that guided grief journaling—using prompts that focus on meaning, memories, and your ongoing relationship with the person—can reduce prolonged grief, depression, and trauma symptoms over time.​

The author of Navigating Loss and Living with Grief, Heather Stang, suggests several approaches to grief journaling:

Helpful online resources for grief journaling:

Meditation and mindfulness exercises, self-compassion

Finding ways to calm the mind and reconnect with your body can be a vital part of coping with suicide loss. Practices like meditation and mindfulness offer gentle tools for navigating waves of emotion, quieting self-blame, and finding moments of rest amid grief. They don't erase pain or provide quick relief, but they can help survivors stay grounded and steady when emotions feel overwhelming. Even small, simple moments of mindful awareness—such as noticing your breath, feeling your feet on the ground, or pausing before reacting—can support healing over time and foster compassion for yourself as you grieve.

Here are some helpful resources for mindfulness for grief:

Creating memory books or projects

Creating memory books or small projects can be a meaningful way to stay connected to a loved one while grieving. These activities provide a space to gather photos, stories, and mementos, and can be adapted for individuals, children, and families in simple, personal ways.