They blamed more people, felt stigmatized, and felt they could have done something to prevent the suicide. In addition, Demi reported that preoccupation with the question of responsibility is more prevalent among suicide survivors. Although all three groups reported high levels of guilt, only the survivors of suicide listed guilt as the most distressing factor. The belief that actions performed or not performed by the parents contributed to their children's suicide was very prevalent in the group of suicide survivors. Survivors are at a loss in explaining the meaning, and therefore may offer other explanations.
Many survivors search for meaning through support groups, reading about suicide and mental illness.
Many block thoughts relating to suicide all together. The sadness at times is overpowering. Months and even years later, survivors experience a tidal wave of emotion dealing with the suicide. These upsurges of grief can happen long after they thought they were finished with grieving. Anything may trigger the upsurge, a picture or a sad song may bring back an intense feeling first experienced right after becoming aware of the death.