Toolkit for People Impacted by a Suicide Loss (Toolkit)

Issued by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this resource was created with input, feedback, and guidance from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Mental Health Association (Alberta Division), the Centre for Suicide Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and individuals with lived experience related to suicide. This toolkit, updated and republished for 2025, is designed for people with a lived experience related to suicide loss.


Seeking help is a personal journey with no prescribed right or wrong approach. It's important to note that this toolkit doesn't aim to provide an exhaustive list of the diverse resources available for support throughout Canada. Instead, it serves as a compilation of information, tools, and resources that have resonated most with the numerous individuals who participated in an online survey and resources identified through a literature review conducted by the Centre for Suicide Prevention. The toolkit covers strategies and coping suggestions, telling your story safely, hopeful messages, and information about suicide. 


If the tools and resources presented here don't align with your needs, consider contacting someone for support. Please see Crisis Services.

Download the Toolkit
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There is no single way or “right” way to cope with a death by suicide. Everyone’s relationship with the person who has died is different. This means the loss will affect people differently.

Toolkit for People Who Have Been Impacted by a Suicide Loss


Feeling overwhelmed, suicidal, need someone to listen

or need to find out how you can help someone you care about?

Please see Crisis Services

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January 3, 2026
If you are supporting a child or teen who has experienced the loss of someone to suicide, it can be challenging to know how best to help them through their grief. The booklet, Children, Teens and Suicide Loss , created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the Dougy Center , offers clear, compassionate guidance tailored specifically for parents and guardians. Within its pages, you’ll find vital information on how young people of different ages understand and process suicide loss, practical advice on using age-appropriate language when talking about what happened, and suggestions for fostering a supportive environment as they begin to heal. You can view an online copy of the booklet here , or, if you prefer, purchase a paper copy for your home or organization. This resource is here to help you navigate a difficult time with greater confidence and understanding. Another helpful resource is the book Why? A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide . The American Psychological Association presents the book in the video, Why?, read by Melissa Allen Heath.
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