Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
In the aftermath of a loss by suicide, it is difficult to see any progress you have made. You may still cry, and you may still feel sadness, anger or pain. Does this mean you haven't began to move forward? No. Moving forward doesn't look the same for everyone. I recently spoke with a man who lost his wife to suicide a few years back. She was his first and only love. He talked about how his friends and family kept telling him that he needed ...
After the loss of my dad to suicide, I remember many people commenting on my strength. I would think to myself, "You don't see me when the doors close." Strength was not a characteristic I would have used to describe myself in those moments following the tragic loss I experienced. Yet looking back, I do see the strength I posed. The strength to not allow life to completely knock me down. I think we all struggle to recognize our strength ...
One of the main reasons this blog was created was to offer a different perspective on grief. Prior to my dad's death by suicide, I had only experienced death by natural cause. While any loss is painful, the loss of my father introduced me to a deeper pain than I had ever known. In the months following my dad's death I remember feeling so alone. How could anyone TRULY understand the intense emotions I was experiencing within. It simply isn't ...
When you think about courage what are some of the images that come to mind? This week, I want that image to be YOU. Give yourself credit for your own courage. Courage to get up, courage to go to work, and courage to do it all again tomorrow. As a survivor myself I know that there are days that the pain feels unbearable. It's weight appears to be stronger than you are. I can assure you that it is not. YOU are stronger than the pain. ...
This week we welcome guest writer, Maggie White, who lost her brother to suicide. Maggie offers a unique perspective as she is not only a survivor, but someone living with mental illness. Born and raised on Chicago’s south side, Maggie resides in Downers Grove, Illinois, with her husband, Sean and their five children, Colin, Moira, Shannon, Aileen and Patrick. She has just published her first children’s book A Christmas Guest, a story which ...
