No one should have to suffer the pain of a loved one’s suicide alone. However, in the face of such a tragic loss as suicide, friends and family may feel ill-equipped when it comes to helping those left behind; after all, what good are any words or actions next to the enormity of such sorrow? Two months ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar entitled “Suicide Bereavement: What Works and What Doesn’t” presented by fellow marriage and family therapist Quintin Hunt. Having lost a brother to suicide (and dedicated his life to prevention and helping), Hunt is in a position to authoritatively speak on the subject. The following are his recommendations for helping those left behind.
Don’t leave them to grieve alone (unless they ask you to).
One of the greatest struggles of suicide mourners is a feeling of isolation. Many well-meaning persons may not know what to say to the bereaved, so they say nothing. Friends and family feel inadequate compared to the suffering of the bereaved, so they simply leave the person alone in their grief. Because other people are unwilling to talk about it, those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide often feel excluded and alone. This lack of connection can send them further into their grief and possibly feed feelings of guilt. Having someone to talk to, cry with, or simply share a space with alleviates feelings of isolation and decreases chances of coping in unhealthy ways, such as addiction.
Avoid judgments and assumptions about the deceased or their families.
Whether dealing directly with the mourners or indirectly in conversations with others, be mindful of your words and thoughts. Even well-intended persons can do immeasurable harm through thoughtless judgments and assumptions.
Show empathy, not sympathy.
Many people do more harm than good when they offer mere sympathy, which Hunt defines as acknowledging suffering then rushing in to “fix it” and offer solutions. Armchair philosophy (“At least her suffering is over now”) and unsolicited advice—especially if you’ve never been there yourself—can come across as patronizing and minimize the loss. These actions also keep the sufferer at arms length; instead of being vulnerable and grieving with them, you’re just telling them what to do or trying to console them with platitudes. Empathy, on the other hand, requires you to be vulnerable. It requires you to try to understand the perspective and feelings of the other person at a profound level. It enables you to recognize that there is no “quick fix” here, and that your job is to feel and connect with them, not to take their pain away.
Help alleviate guilt, anger.
Those left behind often feel a sense of responsibility. They believe that they could have done more to stop the death from happening. They may also feel anger toward the departed for leaving, seeing the deceased as selfish and then feeling guilty for their anger. After you’ve truly connected through empathy and commiseration, help them to see that their loved one made this choice from a place of incredible pain. He or she likely came to see him/herself as a burden, believing that others would grieve but then be better off without them. They were not in a place mentally—or emotionally—to fully grasp the consequences of their actions or the anguish in others who would be left behind. They probably thought that by this act, they were doing right by the family. Let the bereaved know that while anyone in their shoes would ask “What more could I have done?” it’s likely that their efforts would not have changed the outcome. Validate their pain and hurt, and allow them time to process their guilt.
Show sensitivity in your speech.
Avoid language that frames suicide as a crime or as a sin; this is not helpful to the mourner. Instead of “committed suicide,” say “died by suicide.” Instead of “killed himself” say “took his own life.” In a broader context, in your daily conversations, avoid terminology that glamorizes suicide or makes it appear to be a viable option.
Consider the real needs of children.
Children who’ve lost a parent, a sibling, or a friend to suicide may be deemed as “too young [or sensitive] to know the truth.” In a well-meaning attempt to protect them, grownups keep what really happened a secret. While this is definitely an issue left to individual judgment and the child in question, keep in mind that the longer a secret is kept, the more work is required to keep it. Even more important is to recognize that a child’s grief is compounded when they’re treated like they “can’t possibly understand,” leaving them excluded from the comfort others are getting from each other. When considering the costs of telling a child about a suicide, consider also the costs of not telling them.
In time, help them to make meaning.
Hunt posed the question: “How do you take the worst experience of this person’s life and help them to turn it into something good?” First of all, don’t impose meaning onto it for them; remember that bumper-sticker wisdom (sympathy) is actually condescending, as is rushing to fix their problem. Remember, you can’t take their pain away; they hurt because they love, and they have to pass through it. What you can do in time is ask them if there’s anything from this experience that they can use to make a difference. Whether it’s joining with other suicide mourners through shared experience or telling their stories to those contemplating suicide in order to discourage that choice, their pain can serve a purpose of helping others.
These are general principles if you ever find yourself in a position where a loved one is mourning a death by suicide. I hope that they are helpful. That said, every case, every person, and every family is unique. Some question their identities as parents, spouses, or friends. Some experience marital troubles. Some even contemplate taking their own life. If extra support is needed, please call me at (435) 215-6113 or email me at jdeckertherapy@gmail.com.
