Tips to survive a suicide "15 proven to be effective"

   If you or someone you know has had a suicide happen in thier lives   these tips can help put peace back to these living through this event. Surviving such an ordeal is not  surviving an ordinary death. So many questions are constantly going through the mind as to "the why" of such an act of taking ones life that it needs to be looked at closely.

1.    Support groups are an important consideration, quite simply because there is a sharing of like circumstances in that organized meeting. When we know we share like circumstances, we are reaffirmed we are not alone. At times someone will say something to spark us to find some answers as the journey is begun to survive suicide.

2.   Journaling or just writing down thoughts can get those thoughts out of the mind and on paper or in the computer notebook. This frees up the mind, so reoccurring ideas don't have to be remembered. No one ever has to see these personal entries unless you choose to share them.

3.    Surrounding yourself with understanding people will help your healing. Save your cleansing for the support group or counselor who is designated  for that purpose.

4.    Writing a letter to the person that determined to commit suicide allows communication. Even though the letter will not be  sent or received, the words are taken from the mind and put somewhere. It can be added to as you want to, however try to have it have an end and not go without a culmination of that communication. The components of this letter should have what you would like to address to the person that took their life. Be prepared to be tough on the actions of the person who committed suicide. Put this in an envelope and seal, then putting it in a private place.

5.    Another letter that follows the above mentioned letter of communication, should be a love letter to that person that committed suicide. Mention all the good things that you can recall no matter how small those items seem to be in your memory.  Again, this needs to a finished letter, sealed and placed in a safe place.

6.    Pray for yourself and summon others to pray for you, asking for healing of your heart in this dire time. Even before there was healing, I prayed for healing of my heart toward the person who committed suicide in my life. Even though I believed my creator knew my needs before asking, I was requesting  strength in a time of need.

7.    Rearrange furniture in the home or appartment and cover sofas and chairs to have them take on a different look.  This will create a changed atmosphere so you do not see the same environment. It might allow you not to see the person that committed suicide in that room that now has a different look.

8.    Many people think that keeping pictures of the deceased are comforting. For at least a short time of several months, put pictures and mementos away to bring some peace without  constant reminders of things that can keep you from moving forward.

9.    In many instances, the things we just did without thinking will need a conscious effort. Breathing is one of them. Think of taking a deep breath and letting it out, while actually thinking about what you are doing. Eating and drinking water and getting some exercise are vital for healing to survive a suicide.

10.   Avoid depressants such as alcohol. Yes, alcohol gives a slight and temporay feeling of elation or surpressing sadness, but quickly has the adverse effect after consumption.

11.   If medication is ordered by your doctor, just know that will not be a need forever. A crutch is needed by many to prevent pressure on a broken limb. This is something that a professional might order to assist you for a time.

12.   Do some good things for yourself even if you don't feel like it. Avoid solitude with your thoughts that keep you by yourself with your intensity on the suicide.

13,   Allow yourself to be sad or cry. This can be uncontrollable at times. The act of suicide has created these feelings, so let them loose. Do not give yourself an unending time for crying, but when you do, just know it was a worthy act to cause tearing. 

14.   If you are triggered to cry and you think it is inappropriate;  share your losing an important  person with  caring others. There is no need for details since almost everyone can relate to a departure. You  do not need  to appologize

15.   As progress is known by you, be aware of your peace if only for a second, in later times it will be minutes, hours, days etc. You will know by this regonization that you will survive suicide.