Meredith’s 8 Tips for Survivors of Suicide Loss

​By Meredith Carter

1. Take one day at a time. Sometimes I had to live hour by hour, or even minute by minute.
 
2. Allow yourself to feel any emotions that surface. I originally felt guilty for my anger, but learned that all emotions are normal.
 
3. Learn to accept that you may never know why it happened. It took awhile for me to accept that there were no answers.
 
4. Surround yourself with compassionate people. Although most people have good intentions, I had to learn not to take insensitive statements to heart.
 
5. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help. I found healing through counseling, participating in suicide survivor groups and reading self-help books, like Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One’s Search for Comfort, Answers and Hope by Albert Y. Hsu.
 
6. Remember that God is closest when He feels furthest away.
God’s promises helped me through my darkest moments.
 
7. It’s okay to laugh again. I felt guilty for finding joy in my life, but it was necessary and healing.
 
8. Know you will never be the same, but you can survive—even thrive! I found a new purpose in my pain. So can you!

Read Meredith’s story of how she found healing after her husband committed suicide here.

​​​Photo 1: The author (center) relied on friends Kristen Pangborn (left) and Lisa Wolfe to support her through the emotional walk..