Fellow Survivors,

Those of us at HOPES are very sorry to hear about your loss. HOPES was started by 5 survivors of suicide around a kitchen table that wanted to make a difference for people in Wisconsin. HOPES is involved in suicide prevention and educating people about suicide. We hope this information will help you on your journey of grief. We believe that grief shared is grief diminished.

People that have lost someone to suicide are referred to as survivors of suicide. As survivors of a family member or friends suicide we have faced some of the same challenges and some of the questions you are now facing. We want to share with you some thoughts and ideas that have been helpful for us.

It is important to remember that you must do what is right for you and your family. This just gives you a different prospective.

Especially helpful is an article written by the SA/VE organization giving you ideas about how to talk to children about suicide.

The rest of this booklet is writings and information that we have found to be helpful. They are not ours alone but have come from a variety of places that may be helpful to you in the future. We have left all the sources on to give them the credit they deserve but also as resources as you work through your grief. This is probably more information than you need or want right now.

Take things one day at time, one hour at a time or even one minute at a time. Grieving takes a lot of energy. Be kind to yourself and let others help you.

Your fellow survivors at HOPES