Surviving Suicide Loss
We encourage survivors to gather, to remember, to speak aloud the precious names of those lost to suicide. You are in a safe place with those who understand.
If you are very new to the tragedy of suicide loss, despair may be your companion. We hope you find some time to rest your burden and share it with those of us who need no explanation.
There is no map on this path to becoming whole. It is the most painful of journeys — full of twists and turns, bruised hearts and misunderstandings. Small wonders appear on this path but we may be too sore or fragile to recognize them. But there will be a day when you can look back and know that they were there.
We share your loneliness. We share your sorrow. We share your questions. We honor those we love who have been lost to suicide. May the radiance and beauty of their lives never be defined by their deaths.
Survivors are the most courageous people we know. Be well, be peaceful, be hopeful.
If you are new our website, you may want to start here: Coping with Suicide Loss.
AFSP reaches out to survivors of suicide loss with two goals in mind:
AFSP works closely with support group facilitators, first responders, clergy members, mental health professionals and others in the community, to help survivors cope with their loss, their pain, their questions and their journey of healing. In addition, AFSP has taken the leading role in developing an agenda for research on survivors of suicide loss.
AFSP's national survivor leadership includes Director of Survivor Initiatives Joanne Harpel; a 15-member national survivor council comprised of survivors from across the country representing diverse relationship losses and backgrounds and numerous current and founding members of AFSP's national board of directors. (For a current list of survivor council members, click here.) Survivors also serve in a variety of field staff and volunteer positions with local AFSP chapters. And each year in connection with the annual Lifesavers Dinner, AFSP bestows a Survivor Award on an individual survivor who has made an especially meaningful contribution to the field.
