Suicide grief and Crisis lines
Nov. 21, 2025
Global Korean Post
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Many suggest that bereavement after a suicide is unlike any other kind of bereavement. As the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention states, “suicide bereavement is unique because suicide itself is a singular manner of death.”
The grieving process is further complicated by the inexplicable nature of suicide itself. Add notions of guilt and the pressures of stigma, and there is a potential risk for suicide for anyone experiencing complicated grief due to suicide.
Reactions to a suicide loss will be different for every person. Some of these reactions may include:
- shock and numbness
- deep sadness
- anger and blame
- guilt
- shame
- relief
- deniale
- why questions
- fear
- depression
- leaning on spiritual or religious beliefs
- thinking about suicide
- reaching out
Crisis lines and coping tools
When you are dealing with the shock and aftermath of losing someone to suicide, situations can arise that may increase your level of distress. Don’t expect to be able to manage this distress on your own — support is available. Keep the following list of resources on your phone or on a piece of paper in your wallet to ensure they are accessible when you need them most. You may also share them with a friend who can remind you of them.
Crisis lines
- 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: a nation-wide crisis line available to call or text 24/7 (988)
- Kids Help Phone: a 24-hour, bilingual phone, web, and referral service for children and youth (1-800-668-6868)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline: a helpline for Indigenous People (1-855-242-3310)
- Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services’ family information line: an information and crisis line for the military community (1-800-866-4546)
- Boots on the Ground: Peer Support for First Responders(1-833-677-2668)
- It Gets Better Canada: a list of crisis lines in Canada for sexual, gender, and racial minorities
(Source: Mental Health Commission of Canada)
