Those left in the wake of a suicide loss sometimes aren’t sure where to turn or what to do. Uprooted by shock and overcome by the grief of losing someone to suicide can feel painful and isolating. Recognizing National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, HopeWest aims to shed light on this topic by breaking the silence surrounding suicide and sharing resources for those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide.
Suicide rates in western Colorado remain above the national average. The stigma surrounding suicide deaths, particularly on the Western Slope, often hinders individuals from seeking the support they need. To address this crisis in our communities, we must not only bring awareness to suicide prevention but also collectively understand and acknowledge the challenges that survivors of suicide loss face.
Impacted most significantly by the loss are the people closest to the person who died, such as family, friends, classmates and co-workers, but the ripple continues throughout the community, reaching first-responders, colleagues, and sometimes even affecting people who never personally knew the individual.
“Grief after the loss of a loved one to suicide can be alienating which further hinders the natural grief experience. Survivors struggling with a range of challenges can find solace in grief support groups where you can express your experience fully amongst the safety of others who understand,” said Bethany Nehring, HopeWest Bereavement Counselor. “And for many in our community, they feel they need to remain strong and walk this path alone. We are here to say you don’t have to bear this grief alone.”
Following the devastating loss of a loved one to suicide, the HopeWest bereavement team is here to walk alongside individuals and families needing a source of comfort and guidance through their grief journey. Attending grief group at HopeWest can help survivors realize they are not alone in their pain. Survivors of loss can come to terms with the difficult nature of their grief with compassion and support, an important component of the healing process. This can be accomplished through peer support and grief education, or individual counseling for adults, teens, and children.
HopeWest grief support services are open to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one. For more information, please call 970-257-2390.
To those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, our message is clear: Talk! Reach out to someone you trust and remember that help is available. You are not alone! In moments of crisis, you can call 988 or text TALK to 741741. Resources and support from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can be also found at afsp.org.
For those who want to support someone in crisis, we urge you to be there, to listen without judgment, and to encourage them to seek professional help. Your support can make a significant difference in someone’s life.