How to Deal with the Aftermath of a Suicide

If you are reading this, it's likely that you or someone you know has been impacted by suicide. You may be feeling a range of intense and confusing emotions, such as shock, anger, sadness, and guilt. It's important to know that there is no "right" way to feel after a suicide. Whatever you are feeling is valid and normal. Dealing with the aftermath of a suicide can be incredibly difficult, but there are things you can do to help yourself heal and cope.

Give Yourself Time to Grieve

The grieving process after a suicide is often complicated and prolonged. It's not uncommon to feel numb or disconnected from the world immediately after learning about a suicide. These numbing mechanisms are the brain's way of protecting us from overwhelming pain. In the weeks and months that follow, you may find yourself reliving the event over and over again in your mind. You may also have trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating. All of these reactions are normal. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself time to grieve in whatever way feels right for you.

Talk about Your Feelings

It can be tempting to bottle up your emotions after a suicide, but doing so can actually make them worse. Talk about your feelings with someone who will understand and support you, whether that's a friend, family member, therapist, or support group. If you don't feel comfortable talking about your experience with people who were close to the person who died by suicide, that's OK too. There are many national helplines (such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255) where you can speak with trained counselors who can provide support and resources.

Be mindful of how much information about the death you consume. Reading articles or watching news stories about suicides can trigger painful memories and emotions. If you find yourself fixating on details about the death, it's OK to step away for a while and take a break from following the story closely.

Take Care of Yourself Physically

The stress of grief can take a toll on your body, so it's important to take care of yourself physically as well as emotionally. Make sure to eat healthy foods and get enough rest, even if you don't feel like it. Exercise releases endorphins—chemicals that have mood-boosting properties—so try to get moving every day, even if it's just for a short walk around the block. Alcohol and drugs will not help you cope with your grief; in fact, they will only make things worse in the long run.

But more importantly, who cleans up after a suicide?

When someone dies by suicide, the scene of the tragedy can be incredibly upsetting. Blood and other bodily fluids may be present, and the whole area can be saturated with sadness and despair. The last thing anyone wants to do is clean up such a heartbreaking mess. But somebody has to do it.

That's where suicide cleanup crews come in. These professionals are specially trained to deal with the aftermath of suicide, and they have the experience and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently. They will clean up the scene of the suicide, disinfecting it and making it safe for others to be around. In some cases, they may even help families to deal with the emotional fallout of the suicide.

If you ever find yourself in need of suicide cleanup services, know that there are people out there who can help. These crews will work diligently to restore peace and order to your life, giving you one less thing to worry about in an already difficult time.

Wrap up!

Dealing with the aftermath of a suicide is never easy, but there are things you can do to help yourself heal and cope. Give yourself time to grieve, talk about your feelings with someone who will understand and support you, and take care of yourself physically as well as emotionally. You are not alone; there are many people who care about you and want to help you through this difficult time.