My closest friend's 17 y.o. son took his life last week....

[Upthevibe]

I'm trying to find a group for friends of suicide survivors but I can't find anything like this.

Do any of you know of a group that might help people in my (and many of our other friends who are a little in shock right now) situation?

Thank you for any feedback or resources you may have.

[wryter2000]

1. K&R

I don't have an answer, but I'll give you a kick.

[Upthevibe]

5. wryter2000

Thank you.

[JohnnyLib2]

2. Google Compassionate Friends for groups in your area.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Also Bereaved Parents of the U.S.A.

[Upthevibe]

7. JohnnyLib2....

I'll try this number too. Thank you.

[Upthevibe]

6. JohnnyLib2....

Thank you. I just left a message at this number....

[Phoenix61]

4. Hospice or community mental health center nt

[Upthevibe]

8. Phoenix61....

Thank you....

[DFW]

9. A good friend of mine lost his son to suicide, too.

What was the cause, if you know? If it was depression or mental illness, our friends set up a foundation to help people and/or family members dealing with them. I can give a link to their website.

[Upthevibe]

12. DFW....

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's son too.

Liam taking his life has been the biggest shock I could ever imagine. He exhibited NO signs of depression and had never been in trouble a day in his 17 year old life. He didn't do drugs or drink alcohol. His G.P.A. was 4.6 because he was taking Advanced Placement colleges his Junior year in high school (online since COVID). His parents put NO pressure on him about school. They told him not to take AP classes if it was going to stress him out. His plan was to start college as a Sophomore. He loved to read, had the most eclectic taste in music of anyone I've ever known (Imagine Dragons to Frank Sinatra to Classical). He still loved his leggos, and was the most polite and well-behaved kid I've ever known.

I'm completely devastated. My friend adopted him from Napal when he was six months old. She met her wife when he was 20 months old. They were the best parents you can imagine. My heart has a hole in it. I mean I literally feel like something has left an important part of my being.

What happened to your friend's son? How old was he? Had he suffered from depression?

I'd be VERY grateful for a link to the website you mentioned...Thank you....

[DFW]

15. To your questions:

Yes, it was acute depression. He was brilliant, a gifted comedic wit. His father was/is well-known, one of Washington's most gifted political observers, and a good friend of mine. His are shoes that are just about impossible to fill, but I don't think any of his children even had the intention to try.

Here is the link: www.morenstein.org

[csziggy]

10. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a Loss Survivor page

Loss Survivors

If you have lost a loved one to suicide, you are not alone. There are resources available to help survivors of suicide loss cope.
How To Take Care Of Yourself

A loved one’s suicide is a challenging, confusing, and painful experience. If you're struggling, the Lifeline is always here to help.

Find a support group: You don’t have to cope with your loss alone. There are support groups specifically for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Do what feels right to you: Don’t feel pressured to talk right away. If you choose to discuss your loss, speaking can give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way.

Write: You may find it helpful to write your feelings or to write a letter to your lost loved one. This can be a safe place for you to express some of the things you were not able to say before the death.

Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to let your friends provide support to you, or to look for resources in your community such as therapists, co-workers, or family members.

More, including resources: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/loss-survivors/

[Upthevibe]

13. csziggy....

Thank you for this information...

[diva77]

11. save.org says it provides support for suicide loss survivors.

Perhaps worth visiting - I just googled it.

So very sorry for the loss of your friend’s son.

[Upthevibe]

14. diva77....

Thank you for the website. I'll check it out..

[kairos12]

16. Sometimes local hospice organizations host survivor groups for

people lost loved ones in traumatic situations. I hosted one for a general survivors group. There were people in it who lost loved ones to suicide, but others as well. In Arizona a great organization is Hospice of the Valley. If you are in a different state they may have contacts and resources they know about. They are a wonderful non-profit organization.

Peace and strength to you and them.

[hunter]

17. I've been hospitalized for that kind of depression and seen much worse.

A few of my high school friends are dead.

At my own personal worst I strive to be invisible and I'm very, very, good at that. Only two short stays in locked psych wards.

There's no fixing it, but you might come to some sort of understanding.

[Demovictory9]

18. sorry to hear that. TRAGIC