Crime and Safety:
Youth/Parents/Schools > Youth Suicide Prevention Program > Grieving:
What to expect when a loved one has died by suicide
Know now that this may be the worst pain you will ever feel. You may experience many different emotions, some of them all at one time: denial, shock, confusion, guilt, anger, and PAIN -- this is very normal.
Some common things you may experience are:
- Continuing to ask WHY.
- Pain.
- Feeling numb -- thinking that nothing else could ever hurt you.
- Not being able to remember things, such as what time or what day it is.
- Not being able to concentrate.
- Feeling sometimes that this is not real, it didn't really happen.
- Thinking you are going crazy because of what you are thinking or feeling.
- Sometimes your mind won't shut off. It seems to race all over the place and settle nowhere.
- Feelings of panic -- wanting to cut and run. You don't know where -- you just want to run.
- Feeling guilty when you catch yourself laughing or smiling at something.
This information is provided by the Central Arkansas Survivors of Suicide. SOS is a volunteer support group for people who have lost a family member or friend to suicide. For more information, call Bud Daven at (501) 337-1930.
