Suicide Loss and Complicated Grief
Grieving is not easy, and it is important to know that you do not have to go through it alone or suffer in silence. Reels of Hope SLSF is a community of support and reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
Suicide (as we all know) can have devastating impacts on those left behind. The National Council for Suicide Prevention estimates that more than 6 people are directly affected by the loss of a friend or family member to suicide. It is also estimated that 6.7 million people in the United States will be impacted by suicide loss at some point in their lives. People who have lost someone to suicide often experience prolonged distress, which can negatively affect their mental and physical health. This kind of prolonged distress is known as Complicated Grief.
Grieving is a natural response to loss and everyone experiences it in their way. The normal grieving process typically includes denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, the grieving process is different for everyone. Complicated Grief is an extended form of grief that does not easily fade with time and can impact a person's ability to function normally. Those who suffer from complicated grief may also experience adverse health effects.
Complicated Grief can be characterized by symptoms that persist for a year or more, such as persistent anger, the inability to focus on anything other than the loss, extreme avoidance of reminders of the loss, isolation from friends and family, intense feelings of sadness, emotional numbness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The potential health impacts that can be coupled with complicated grief may include sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, a weakened immune system, depression, anxiety, heart disease, and chronic pain.
To cope better with Complicated Grief, it is important to understand the grief process and recognize that everyone experiences grief differently. Establishing a support network, practicing self-care, engaging in creative expression, and educating oneself about the impact of suicide can assist in coping with complicated grief.
