Suicide, Effects on Family and Friends

Each year in the United States, six people are affected by suicide every 13 minutes. These six people represent a conservative estimate of the number of family and friends affected by the death of a loved one by suicide. “Survivors of suicide,” as they are commonly referred to, experience a grieving process marked by feelings of confusion, guilt, or embarrassment. The social stigma attached to death by suicide causes people to avoid discussing the topic, which may further complicate the mourning process.

LGBTQ youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. Thus, survivors of suicide make up a large number of family and friends of LGBTQ individuals. Survivors must confront not only the stigma associated with suicide but also the stigma ...