After losing a loved one to suicide, you are likely to have many questions. The following are answers to a few we are often asked.

Why Did This Happen?

One of the first questions almost everyone asks after a suicide is, why? Why would someone you love end their own life? How could I not have seen this coming? Suicide is complicated, and it almost always leaves many questions unanswered. Often, we never learn exactly why our loved one took their life. But we can find help to find our way through this tragedy and support to go on living our own lives. Where to Begin shares the things that have helped others to get through this difficult time. It’s a good place to start.

What Does “Survivors of Suicide Loss” Mean?

We use this expression to refer to the family and friends left behind after someone dies by suicide. Survivors are the ones left to pick up the broken pieces and find a way to move forward through grief and emptiness. Survivors are some of the strongest people we know. If you have survived a suicide loss, we are here to help. The pages on this web site were created for you.

Are There Support Groups in My Area?

AFSP does not run or endorse suicide bereavement support groups. However, we do maintain a directory of support groups. We do our best to keep the directory up to date, relying on support group facilitators to submit any changes. Before attending a support group meeting, be sure to contact the facilitator of the group to make sure that the time, location, and other information is correct. Our Find Support section describes other ways to share your grief and connect with others who have lost a loved one to suicide.