Over and over again, loved ones ask themselves, " How could this happen?" In our groups, people review the last days and hours looking for clues. In reality, an overwhelming percentage of those who commit suicide have some documented mental illness. They usually suffer from depression or bi-polar disease. In an effort to cope with their mental illness and in order to self medicate, many people turn to alcohol or drugs. Their disease, then, becomes more difficult to control, and their lives spiral out of control.
2. How can we, the surviving family members, handle the stigma?
Because suicide has often carried a social stigma due to superstition and some religious dogma, survivors have to face both their grief and their feelings of shame and discomfort. It is helpful for family members to reach out and educate themselves and others about the underlying mental illnesses that are the predominant causes of suicide. We urge family members to talk openly about their loved ones and the pain of their struggles. We urge family members to remember all the ways they helped their loved one. We also encourage family members to remember all the positive and productive contributions their loved one made in the world despite their struggles.
3. What can others can do for us?
- Help us to feel comfortable to talk to you about our loved one.
- Mention his or her name to keep them a part of the conversation. We are always thinking about him or her.
- Mention the word suicide. We want to know that you understand and accept that our loved one struggled.
- Talk openly about your positive memories. We want to hear all the stories and see all the pictures you may have.
Red Bird Center's group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide meets on alternate Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M.
Our reading-based therapy group is meeting on alternate Tuesdays from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. We are reading Joan Didion's book , The Year of Magical Thinking.
Contact Red Bird Center for :Situation-Specific
Grief Groups:
Situation-specific groups enable those in grief to connect with others
who share similar losses. Therapists trained in bereavement counseling lead all groups.
These groups focus on: infant loss; loss of a father or mother; loss
of an adult child; loss from suicide; loss of a spouse.
Crisis
Intervention- Teams of professionals are available when
families, schools, businesses, or other groups are suddenly faced with
loss. The teams help those in stress situations to make appropriate
decisions and to handle the complexities of the acute grief stage.
Individual
and Family Therapy -
Red Bird Center therapists guide
those in grief through the varied tasks of mourning.
Community
Education - Red Bird
Center therapists educate health care professionals, educators
and businesses about the latest developments in the field of grief and mourning.
