• It’s okay to grieve

• It’s okay to cry

• Feelings of guilt, confusion and anger and fear are common emotions in grief.

• Understand that people grieve differently.

• Talk openly and honestly about suicide. Talking about suicide, mental illness can help surviving family members and friends take steps towards prevention if they see something is wrong.

• Ask “Why” until you no longer need to ask.

• It’s okay to laugh, it doesn’t mean that you are not grieving or that you didn’t love the person who has died.

• Grief is work and takes energy. It’s important to face your grief and not suppress your feelings

• Be patient with yourself…grief takes time and has no time table

• Avoid people who try to tell you how you should feel or that you “should get over it”.

• Reassure the person that they are not responsible for the person taking their life. Nothing they said or didn’t say caused them to take their life.

• Be attentive, present and practice active listening. Not all teens will have the need to talk about their loss.

• Provide structure, a sense of continuity and stability during crisis and loss.

• Seek professional help if needed.

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Explaining why suicide happens:

• The brain is an organ of the body, just like the heart or liver and can get sick.

• Depression is an illness and can cause a person to die by suicide.

• The person’s pain exceeded their ability to cope.