Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 38,000 American lives each year, more than DOUBLE the number of lives lost to homicide. We cannot keep quiet on this issue; Our community has felt the impact and we need to be aware of prevention and how to deal with the losses we have been forced to suffer. We must bring light into the corners of this heartbreaking fact.
Those that are left behind do not always get the help they need due to the stigma that they feel still surrounds suicide. Many blame themselves.
The Mayo Clinic offers this information to those left to deal with the incredible loss:
Brace for powerful emotions
A loved one’s suicide can trigger intense emotions. For example:
You might continue to experience intense reactions during the weeks and months after your loved one’s suicide — including nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal and loss of interest in usual activities — especially if you witnessed or discovered the suicide.
For more information on suicide or for training, please visit: National Violence Prevention at www.1nvp.org
Those that are left behind do not always get the help they need due to the stigma that they feel still surrounds suicide. Many blame themselves.
The Mayo Clinic offers this information to those left to deal with the incredible loss:
Brace for powerful emotions
A loved one’s suicide can trigger intense emotions. For example:
- Shock. Disbelief and emotional numbness might set in. You might think that your loved one’s suicide couldn’t possibly be real.
- Anger. You might be angry with your loved one for abandoning you or leaving you with a legacy of grief — or angry with yourself or others for missing clues about suicidal intentions.
- Guilt. You might replay “what if” and “if only” scenarios in your mind, blaming yourself for your loved one’s death.
- Despair. You might be gripped by sadness, loneliness or helplessness. You might have a physical collapse or even consider suicide yourself.
You might continue to experience intense reactions during the weeks and months after your loved one’s suicide — including nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal and loss of interest in usual activities — especially if you witnessed or discovered the suicide.
For more information on suicide or for training, please visit: National Violence Prevention at www.1nvp.org
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