Suicide is often referred to as a ripple effect because of its wide-reaching impact on many different levels – individuals, communities, and societies.
1 Some studies have estimated that a single suicide loss impacts an average of 135 different people.
2Suicide loss can lead to a variety of feelings in addition to grief, such as anger, confusion, resentment, sadness, or guilt.
3 Suicide loss survivors may go on to develop symptoms of traumatic stress, and may even experience thoughts of suicide themselves.
4 They may also be impacted by stigma that can prevent them from being able to talk about their loss.
4 Providing support to survivors after a suicide occurs to improve or prevent these outcomes is a process known as postvention.
Postvention Resources in Maryland Guide
This guide provides information on resources such as support groups, behavioral health services, crisis services, and more that can help survivors after they’ve experienced a suicide loss. The Guide was last updated on October 08, 2020. Access the guide
here.
Healing Conversations
Healing Conversations is a peer support program provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The program connects suicide loss survivors in need of support to trained volunteers that have experienced a suicide loss themselves. Volunteers are available to talk with survivors for a one-time visit over the phone, via video chat, or in person at a location convenient for the survivor.
Click
here for more information about Healing Conversations.
Other Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors
References:
1. The Ripple Effect of Suicide. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
2. How Many People Are Exposed to Suicide? Not Six.
3. Taking Care of Yourself. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
4. Suicide Bereavement and Complicated Grief
