Struggles & Victories

OUR STRUGGLES AND VICTORIES

ROADBLOCKS TO RECOVERY
What makes this so difficult?

They chose to end their life
Rejection
Abandonment
Isolation
Embarrassment
Stigma
Frustration
Added responsibility
Forced to face difficult reality
Adjustment to living alone
Confusion
Guilt
Anger
Depression
Anxiety attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Finding the body
Not being able to see the body
Disbelief
Flashbacks
Horror
Lost dreams
Unanswered questions (WHY?)
Method of suicide
Others’ expectations
Healing too slowly
Healing too fast
Fear of losing others
Suicidal thoughts
Physical ailments
No one wants to hear about suicide
Wounds from family history
Wounds from the relationship
Anniversary dates
STEPPING STONES TO RECOVERY
What do I do with the difficulties?

Choose to survive a day at a time
Take responsibility for yourself
Take care of yourself
Let others take care of you
Ask for what you need and want
Make decisions as a family
Get a survival plan
Give yourself time
Talk about the suicide
Talk about the victim
Write about the suicide
Write letters to the victim
Read about suicide
Read about personal growth
Read about the grieving process
Give yourself permission to grieve
Exercise
Take a walk
Take a trip 
Feel all of your feelings
Find safe friends 
Talk about your feelings
Take some risks
Learn to trust
Join a survivors support group
Talk to a counselor
Consider medication if prescribed
Heal some historical wounds
Face reality
Serenely accept what you can’t change
Courageously change what you can
Ask for wisdom to know the difference