We recognize that there is a wide range of emotional reactions to a suicide death. These may include one or more of the following: anger, fear, guilt, anxiety, depression, blaming, numbness, shock, disorientation, or reminders of other losses or trauma you have experienced.
It is important to recognize that these reactions are normal human responses.
Take time to talk to someone else privately or a small group at your church about these common reactions.
In the midst of such a tragedy and because of the fragile nature of our humanity, our own personal life experiences can be stirred up. So even though we can understand how someone who is suffering horribly would consider a means of escape; we firmly believe that suicide is not a choice that we would want anyone to consider.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please acknowledge them to a trained counselor or pastor or contact the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Some of the other websites listed below may also be helpful.
- http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- http://www.halfofus.org/
- http://www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention/suicidefaq.cfm
- http://www.sprc.org/
"Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide" is a documentary about families who have been through this type of loss from Mennonite Media at http://www.fiercegoodbye.com/
As always, if your concerns are an emergency, call 911. Do not wait