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Heal & Move Forward: A Guide for Families After a Crisis
Here are six tips for helping your family and community navigate the loss and find balance.
Experiencing a suicide in the community can be devastating, leaving youth and their families feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward. Healing takes time, and the process is different for everyone.
For a full overview of navigating suicide at home, view the Youth and Family Toolkit.
1. Promote safe communication.
How we talk about suicide matters. Avoid sensationalizing or dramatizing the event, as this can unintentionally encourage further risk. It’s also important not to share specific details about the method or location of the suicide.
If your child is using social media, be mindful of what they’re seeing and posting—social media can be a place of support but also a source of misinformation and distress. Encourage thoughtful and sensitive discussions both online and offline. Learn more about fostering healthy social media engagement.
2. Focus on support and recovery.
Grief affects every member of the family differently, and it’s essential to create a space where emotions can be expressed openly. Encourage honest conversations about feelings and reassure your child that it’s okay to grieve.
Finding stories of hope and recovery can be incredibly powerful, offering reassurance that healing is possible. You don’t have to go through this alone—seeking family counseling or peer support can help everyone process their emotions in a healthy way.
3. Partner with schools and your greater community.
Schools play an important role in helping students process a tragedy. Stay connected with teachers, counselors, and administrators to ensure your child is receiving the right support at school. Many schools have postvention plans in place to provide resources and mental health check-ins.
Community organizations can also be a source of strength, offering counseling, peer groups, and local initiatives focused on healing. To find local, county-based resources for grief and mental health, you can contact your county's health department, search online for local support organizations, or ask your healthcare provider for recommendations.
4. Keep an open dialogue.
Your child may have a mix of emotions, from sadness to confusion to guilt. Let them know it’s okay to talk about what they’re feeling, and remind them that they are not responsible for what happened. Be patient—grief can come in waves, and some days will be harder than others. Make sure they know they can turn to you or another trusted adult whenever they need to talk.
You might say something like: “I want us to be able to talk about all the things, even the ones that feel difficult to say out loud. How are things going for you?"
Get more communication tips on Never A Bother.
5. Watch for signs of emotional distress.
After a traumatic event, some children and teens may struggle more than others. Keep an eye out for changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or behavior. If your child withdraws from activities they once enjoyed, has trouble concentrating, or expresses feelings of hopelessness, these could be signs that they need extra support.
Additionally, be aware of the concept of "contagion," where exposure to suicide—especially through media or social circles—can increase risk among vulnerable individuals. If you notice concerning changes, reach out to a mental health professional for guidance. Review the list of warning signs or get urgent support.
6. Take care of yourself too.
Supporting your child and family through grief can be emotionally taxing, and it’s just as important to look after your own mental health. Find someone you trust to talk to—a counselor, a friend, or a support group for grieving families.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it allows you to be a stronger source of support for your child.
Healing is a journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is that you and your family take the time to process, support each other, and seek help when needed. You are not alone, and with the right support, recovery is possible.
Access the complete Youth & Family Toolkit.
