Teen Suicide After-effects

When someone dies by suicide, the people impacted directly are those closest to the person who died. They may be family, friends, co-workers, classmates. As a result, the people who interacted regularly with the individual who ended their life will miss the physical presence of that person and typically feel the loss most intimately.

But, those people represent only the first wave or the initial level of impact. Those people who are members of an individual’s community, such as members of a faith community; teachers, staff, and other students in a school; or service providers, may also be affected by suicide.

Image for representation purpose only; Source: Dribble

Some of these people may feel the impact in a way that feels similar to those closest to the person who has died. In a situation where the individual has struggled openly with mental health concerns, those who knew of the struggle will feel the pain of the loss, likely wondering if they could have done more

People who may not have even personally known the individual who died can also be impacted. Like emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, clergy, and others who respond and provide support to the family and community, either at the time of death or afterward.

Suicide is a difficult subject to contemplate. Survivors may be reluctant to confide that the death was self-inflicted. And when others know the circumstances of the death, they may feel uncertain about how to offer help. Grief after suicide is different, but there are many resources for survivors, and in many ways you can help the bereaved.