Mary, Parent & Survivor: Mobilizing Communities to Support Youth Wellbeing

By Mary Ojakian, Parent & Survivor

I am what is termed a "survivor of suicide loss". My child died of suicide. Losing someone to suicide is devastating. It is common that people in general do not know what to say to a person who is grieving a loss due to suicide. If you know someone who has been affected by a suicide loss reach out to them with your condolences and

simply say or do whatever you would for someone experiencing grief due to any other cause of sudden death such as a car accident or a heart attack. For the bereaved, not being able to talk with others about their loss only increases their pain and sense of isolation. All grief is difficult and your compassion can ease the pain.