Offering hope, comfort and support for survivors of suicide loss.
One of the more common questions I get as a survivor of suicide is how I prefer to describe my dad’s final act. In an effort to be “PC,” they wonder if it’s better to say he completed vs. committed suicide, or even something else, like “he took his life.” To be honest, it never really occurred to me to think about it until I was asked. This is certainly a personal “preference” for survivors, but for me, there was really no sugar-coating the fact ...
In the aftermath of yet again, another mass shooting, I have found myself questioning what is contributing to the consistent rise in mass murders that often end in suicide? While at a friend's house the other night, her husband and I discussed the issue. "As a therapist," he asked, "what do you think the problem is? Is it a gun control problem or a mental health problem?" This is often the question asked by many in our society. The media ...
After my dad died, I remember wanting nothing more than to be “visited” by him in my dreams. I often heard other survivors talk about wonderful dreams they had experienced – some that helped them find closure or assurance that their loved one was now in a better place. It took quite a long time for me to experience a dream. I can’t remember what that first one was about, exactly, but I think it was something pretty random – like a flicker of ...
We love hearing from other survivors as it gives further insight into how death by suicide impacts others. Thank you Natalie - a fellow LOSS participant - for opening up and sharing your experience with us. We are honored to share your words with our readers.
Written by: Natalie Karnik
Prior to one of the monthly LOSS meetings that I attend, a reoccurring thought came back to me. My father and I were very close, so sometimes my mind ...
April is always one of the bigger months for me in terms of grieving the loss of my father. The month starts with his birthday, which is followed shortly by Opening Day for Major League Baseball and then Easter. All of these dates remind me so much of him and the traditions he loved to follow. He especially enjoyed celebrating birthdays, including his own. On the morning of his birthday, he used to stop by a local bakery to pick up treats to ...
