Support after suicide loss or suicide attempt

If someone you know has died by suicide, or if you’ve been affected by a suicide attempt, you do not have to navigate this alone. Connect with compassionate counsellors who understand grief, trauma, shock, and the many emotions that can follow.

Counselling designed specifically for suicide loss and suicide-related grief

Grief after suicide can feel different from other forms of loss. Many people experience shock, confusion, guilt, anger, unanswered questions, or feelings they struggle to explain to others.

This counselling service is designed specifically to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by suicide or suicide attempts.

Our counsellors understand the complexity of suicide-related grief and provide a safe, non-judgmental space to process what you are experiencing at your own pace.

Hospital building icon with medical cross and location pin on a base

You do not need to “have it together”

Whether the loss was recent or years ago, counselling can help you process difficult emotions, unanswered questions, and the impact on your daily life.

Black outline of a head with a brain and medical cross icon inside the brain.

There is no “right” way to grieve

People respond to suicide loss in many different ways. Your reactions may change over time and may not look like someone else’s experience.

House icon with a heart and medical cross, suggesting home healthcare or support services

Support is available for many kinds of loss

This service supports individuals affected by the suicide death or suicide attempt of a family member, partner, friend, coworker, classmate, client, or community member.


What to expect from counselling

Sessions may help you:

Black check mark inside a circle icon on a white background

process grief, trauma, or shock

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

talk through difficult emotions without judgment

Black checkmark inside a circle icon

navigate relationship or family impacts

Black checkmark inside a black outlined circle on a white background

explore coping strategies and supports

Black checkmark inside a circle on a white background.

reduce feelings of isolation

Black checkmark inside a circle on a white background.

make sense of confusing or conflicting emotions

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

rebuild stability and connection over time

You can:

Black check mark inside a circle on a white background.

attend alone or with family members

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

access short-term support

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

move at your own pace

Black check mark inside a circle on a white background

choose what you do or do not want to discuss

You do not need to know exactly what to say before reaching out.

Common responses after suicide loss

Outline of a head with two small faces on top, one smiling and one frowning.

Emotional responses

sadness

anger or blame

guilt

shame

helplessness

anxiety

numbness

relief

fear of another loss

Black line icon of a head with a speech bubble containing text lines.

Thoughts and questions

“Why did this happen?”

replaying events or conversations

difficulty understanding the loss

confusion about conflicting emotions

questioning beliefs or meaning

Balance scale with smiling face on one side and sad face on the other, symbolizing emotional imbalance

Physical and behavioural impacts

difficulty sleeping

exhaustion

trouble concentrating

withdrawing from others

changes in appetite

increased stress or overwhelm

Suicide loss can feel isolating

Because of stigma, people grieving a suicide loss sometimes feel pressure to hide what happened or avoid talking about their grief openly.

You may worry about judgment, feel unsupported, or find that others do not know what to say.

Counselling offers a confidential space where you can speak honestly about your experience without fear of being judged.

Suicide loss affects many people

The impact of suicide can extend far beyond immediate family members.

This counselling may support:

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

parents, siblings, partners, and close family members

Black check mark inside a circle on a white background

friends and classmates

Black check mark inside a circle icon on a white background

coworkers and teammates

Black checkmark inside a circle on a white background.

first responders and helping professionals

Black check mark inside a circle icon on a white background

faith and community members

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

people indirectly affected by the loss

Black checkmark inside a circle icon on a white background

individuals impacted by a suicide attempt

Even if you are unsure whether your experience “counts,” you are welcome to reach out for support.

Explore resources to help you

Red maple leaf held in front of a winding road with blurred green trees in the background
May 2, 2025
When tragedy strikes, informed, compassionate leadership can make all the difference. The “Postvention Guide for CAF Leadership” is a comprehensive resource from the Department of National Defence, designed to help Canadian Armed Forces leaders respond effectively after a suicide or suicide attempt within their ranks.
Call center agents wearing headsets working at computers in an office
May 2, 2025
Are you looking to strengthen your crisis center’s response after a suicide? The podcast episode “Postvention Practices for Crisis Centers” from the Short Takes on Suicide Prevention series is a valuable resource.
Person petting a brown horse in a sunlit field with a mountain in the background
May 16, 2024
This guide provides best practices for immediate response to a suicide, advice on helping the community grieve and cope over time.
Two people talking at a table in a bright café, with coffee cups and a laptop nearby.
January 18, 2024
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,
Sunlit room with bookshelves and a window, casting patterned light onto a table and chair
January 17, 2024
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
Blue police lights flashing on top of a parked white patrol car
January 17, 2024
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.
Show More Resources