The experience of bereavement following a suicide can be intense and overwhelming. You may experience a wide range of feelings and thoughts which are difficult to understand and to manage.

Here are some activities, which may be helpful:

• Develop a resource list, phone numbers of people and places to contact when the going gets tough.
• Talk to a trusted person who will listen with understanding to your thoughts and feelings
• be with people you are comfortable spending time with in conversation or in silence.
• Eat a healthy diet, frequent small amounts of nutritious, easily digested food
• Light exercise can assist by using up excess adrenaline
• Use physical nurture, massage, spa baths, early nights, and get some fresh air by going for short walks
• Avoid increased use of alcohol, smoking, prescription medication and other drugs.
• Avoid too much coffee and tea to help you sleep at night.
• Collect information, read simple books about surviving suicide, or about grief and trauma, when you are ready
• Spend time alone to think, remember, pray, meditate, mourn.
• Keep treasures, a memory box, journal, photo album
• Create a memory book for family and friends to write stories, memories, messages
• Create or build a special memento for your loved one: a garden, a CD or DVD, photo album
• Prioritise daily tasks, do only what is essential
• Use voicemail to screen phone calls; choose who you will talk to
• Write notes to relatives and friends when you need to tell aspects of your story, or to express feelings
• Find distractions, to provide time out from the pain
• Keep a journal to record your thoughts and feelings, especially if you are unable to sleep
• Spend time with nature
• Review photos and mementoes
• Visit the burial site or some other special place
• Rearrange and store the person’s belongings, when you are ready to do this
• Spiritual searching of self
• Gardening
• prepare for special days and holidays with your family/friends. Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries can be difficult times. Plan a visit to the cemetery, light a candle or maybe spend some time at the person’s favourite place.
• Find ways to honour the life of the person who has died
• make resolutions for new and renewed directions in your life and in the life of your family.
• Individual counselling or a support group