As a survivor of suicide loss, you should know that you are not alone. Each year, approximately 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide—that’s about one every 18 minutes. Devastated family and friends are left behind to try to make sense of it.

Even as you struggle with loss and loneliness, pain and grief, the world continues to make demands of you. Bills are due and expenses need to be met. Especially if your loved one was the primary breadwinner or financial decision maker in your family, you may find yourself in new and unfamiliar territory—territory that creates even more anxiety and questions. How much money do I have? What bills am I responsible for paying? How will I make the house payment? Can I afford to go to college—or send my children to college? You’ll find general answers to these kinds of questions in this Web site. Many of the questions addressed in these pages were suggested by, and based on the experiences of, survivors like you. We are grateful to them for sharing their stories and helping us make this information as useful as possible for other survivors.

There are many financial terms sprinkled through this Web site and some may not be familiar to you. Refer to the Glossary section for short definitions of terms you may encounter.

AFSP and other survivor organizations can provide emotional support as well as practical support. AFSP, for example, publishes an extensive bibliography, survivor support group directory, and information about suicide and mental illness. We sponsor National Survivors of Suicide Day and the Survivor e-Network, and offer educational programs and conferences for survivors. You can contact us at 1-888-333-AFSP or online at www.afsp.org. Other organizations are listed in the Resources section of this Web site.

Survivors who have been down this difficult path won’t tell you it’s easy. But with time, and with help from family, friends, professional advisors, and other survivors, there is hope for the future.