Grief to Suicide Resources and Trainings

Grief following a suicide can be intense and complicated. Emotions such as shock, guilt, blame, anger and unanswered questions are common.  Isolation due to stigma and discomfort around the topic of suicide makes it difficult for people to talk openly. Survivors of Suicide Loss often replay events, search for meaning or worry about what they could have done differently. This kind of loss can also trigger anxiety about one’s own (and other family members’) mental health, disrupting daily functioning and bringing up intense and mixed emotions such as love, blame, anger, profound sadness and even relief.

People grieving a loss to suicide need their grief witnessed. Support groups provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where people who’ve experienced similar losses can share memories, feelings, coping strategies, thus reducing isolation and shame. Through listening and being heard, members feel validated, learn practical tools for managing grief, and find a sense of community that normalizes the unpredictable timeline of healing. Groups can also connect participants with resources—therapy referrals, crisis lines, and educational materials—offering both emotional support and concrete next steps toward recovery.

To find a grief group near you, click here. Just enter your zip code to locate a group near you. They can be in-person or online. Most groups are open, meaning drop-in is welcome.

For online groups, please check out Coping after Suicide, which is run by Joanne Harpell, who I consider a friend and teacher. These groups are themes by type of loss, and are closed, which means the group has a specific duration and specific cohort of people who start and end together.

Also, as a part of my advocacy work, I have trained people to run suicide bereavement groups in their own communities in a multi-day seminar. This training has afforded me the opportunity to meet hundreds of people around the country devoted to easing the suffering of suicide bereavement. Please click here for more information.