Suicide Loss

Losing someone to suicide is a unique loss like no other, and can lead to a number of conflicting feelings and many unanswered questions.  There is no one way to feel or grieve the death by suicide – we all react and grieve differently.  And most importantly, it is important to remember that you are not alone – that suicide impacts more people than we often know about.

• Suicide Loss Support Group at Crisis Centre
• Video:  A Message to Survivors (Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention)
• Video:  Supporting those Bereaved by Suicide (Lifeline Australia)

For more information on suicidal bereavement:

• Suicide Grief  & Coping with Loss (Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention)
• Hope and Healing: Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide
• After a suicide toolkit for Schools

Suicide Loss Support Group

The BC Bereavement Helpline and the Crisis Centre are hosting a grief support group for those who have been bereaved by suicide. Being with others who have experienced a similar loss has proven to break isolation and create long-term networks of support.

Suicide loss can be a unique and complicated grief.  Jude Platzer, one of the facilitators of the suicide loss support group, knows firsthand the immense pain that comes from losing a loved one to suicide. After the suicide death of her teenage son in 1999, Jude has worked tirelessly on prevention and education efforts that included supporting others who were dealing with suicide grief.  Jude has learned that “support groups can offer tremendous comfort and safety in knowing we are not alone. The knowledge that there are others who have some understanding of what we have been through can help us heal and move forward in our grief journey.”

The next group begins in September.  This group will be led by two skilled, experienced and caring facilitators.  For more information and to find out about registering please contact contact@bcbh.ca or call 604-738-9950.