Survivors of Suicide (SOS)

Issues unique to suicide survivors are discussed and explored within this group.  Facilitated by professionals, the SOS group provides an open, non-judgmental atmosphere of support without the stigma often associated with suicide.  Group members share their stories as well as various coping skills they have found to be helpful in the healing process.

About 180,000 individuals in the U.S. alone become survivors of suicide each year.  All survivors have one thing in common - they all have to go through the grief, anger, and frustration.

Shock - Some may feel shock as a numbness that has taken over their emotional system.  This does NOT mean that the survivor did not care for the victim. The survivor is just in shock, and it’s completely normal.

Denial - Survivors may have denial about the suicide or disbelief about what has happened.

Shame - Some survivors agonize about what and how much to tell people about the suicide.  They are afraid of how society will react.

Guilt - Survivors of most deaths experience some sense of guilt. One thing often forgotten is that suicide is never a singular event, and that it takes many things for a person to decide to end his or her own life - things like depression, confusion, other mental and physical illness, perfectionism, and poor self-esteem may all have played a role in the victim’s decision.

Anger - Survivors may experience great anger - at other people, at the victim, or at themselves.

Mistrust - It is hard for survivors to trust anyone after the suicide.  Some are distressed to realize that the person who they loved so much had kept so much hidden from them.

Loneliness - Sudden and unexpected deaths often leave survivors with intense feelings of loneliness.

Depression - Despair and the feeling that there is no point to life anymore typically accompany or alternate with the feelings of guilt, anger, and loneliness.  Completing routines and making decisions seem impossible to some survivors.  And some even contemplate suicide themselves.

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To the survivor of suicide, healing at first seems an impossible task; however, through sharing the burden of grieving and mourning, survivors can learn to live with the reality of suicide.  As survivors grow and gain strength, they are able to accept the suicide and move beyond striving to thriving.

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For information concerning SOS meetings, contact -

Mike Falligant

(205) 323-7785

For a map and driving directions to the Crisis Center, click (here).