Many survivors struggle long and hard with this question. They usually diminish as months and years pass, although some residual feelings may remain unresolved. Friends and relatives may feel uncomfortable and unable to offer consolation. When you feel ready, share with your family and friends your feelings of loss and pain. Understand that each family member may be grieving in his or her own way.
Children experience many of the feelings of adult grief.
Remind them that they are still loved by sharing your thoughts and feelings with them and asking them to share theirs with you. Anniversaries, birthdays and holidays may be stressful reminders of the suicide. Plan these days to meet your own emotional needs and your family. You may need to feel guilty for a while before you can accept that you are not to blame and that you are only human, with human limitations. It is worth trying to understand the feelings of the deceased, but no one gains when the struggle to understand the suicide becomes the only activity that seems worth while.