How suicide affects families

1. 3 main ways families deal with it. Several ways you can get out anger. You need to learn how to deal with this situation. Ask to go see a therapist and talk to friends. How suicideaffects families

2. There are 3 main ways families deal with suicide • Families might become closer (49%) • Families might become more distant (37%) • Other loved ones might also kill them selves(14%) • (According to Stason.org)

3. Some families become closer • On some occasions families try to bond more, to not lose any more loved ones. • They try to become closer. • They do other activities as a family and make sure everyone is ok. • They go out to eat and other fun things together and try to have as much fun as possible.

4. OTHER FAMILIES BECOME MORE DISTANT • The truth is that some families do become more individual. • Sometimes someone might bottle everything up then “erupt” and everyone doesn’t want to be around them. • People will hide their emotions and become violent or become sad all the time and cry a lot. • Sometimes they try to forget about it and then they don’t want to see anyone • Sometimes they are just too distant and want to be left alone.

5. Other people might want to commit suicide • Some family members are so distraught they can’t eat or think or sleep. • They just can’t think of life with out their loved one. • They can end up going crazy and they don’t want to go on. • Other times they just don’t even care about life any more and they kill themselves too.

6. My Personal Experience The day of my Aunt Ashley’s wedding, I thought that this would be fun. But little did I know that My dad would kill himself. I stayed at a friend’s house . Usually I don’t have to leave their house early, but this time was different. When I got home everyone was showing up to our house. I was so curious what was going on. Two of my sisters already knew (Cory and Carley) and so did my brother, Josh Jr. My Uncle George and my mom sat all of us down and gave us the bad news. My bones chilled and I started crying for hours. We all did. Then a lot of more people came to our house and gave us food and cleaned it. The whole day was blurry. My best friend came over and so did my cousin. We all had pizza and soda and talked for awhile.

7. My Personal Experience (cont.) • It’s nice to know that your friends and family are always there for you. When I went to school later that week, everyone was making sure I was ok. I went on Outdoor Ed. and I completely forgot about it. I felt so peaceful and so relaxed. Then when I got home I remembered. I tried to hang out with my friends all week. I remember how I felt when all my friends helped me get through it. I felt like I was loved by everyone. My family stayed strong and are still trying to get used to the idea of life with out my dad.

8. To keep families together… • Try to have regular family dinner twice a week. • Try to stay relaxed. • Play sports or video games with each other. • Go do family event together. • (EX.) carnivals, family pictures, vacations.

9. Coping Mechanisms… • If you are angry this is what you should do: • Listen to music to relax you • Hit a punching bag • Do something your loved one did • Play aggressive sports • Build something to destroy. • (ask to go see therapist to help if needed.)

10. Stages of Grief… • 1) Shock-you don’t feel anything • 2) Panic-crying all the time “this isn’t fair” • 3) Denial-”this isn’t real”, “I’m in a dream” • 4) Guilt-”This is my fault” • 5) Anger-you are mad at the person for leaving you • 6) Depression-no one cares about you, you cry all the time about everything • 7) Hope-”I’m getting through this” • 8) Acceptance-”I have a few bad days, but I know I’ll be OK”

11. Shock • You don’t feel anything. • You forget about it. • Everything might seem blurry or fuzzy • You might feel empty and tired.

12. Panic • You will cry all the time. • You might freak out a little. • You might feel as if everything is closing in. • You might say that this isn’t fair.

13. Denial • It will feel like a dream. • You might feel as if everyone is just lying to you • You might not trust anyone. • You feel like nothing is real.

14. Guilt • You feel as if it’s your fault. • You feel bad about yourself. • You don’t think clearly. • you don't trust yourself.

15. Anger • You might yell all the time. • You might be angry at the person you lost. • You might be mad at you family/friends. • No one will want to be near someone who yells all the time.

16. Depression • You will cry a lot. • You will feel drained. • You won’t want to do anything. • You might seclude yourself from everyone.

17. HOPE! • You still have some bad days. • You know that you’re getting through this. • You start to see “the light at the end of the tunnel”. • You realize that their not there.

18. Acceptance! • You are getting used to them not being there. • You know that you will be ok. • Still have a few bad days but not overall. • You are more open with your thoughts.

19. Go see a therapist. You need to see a therapist. You will feel better and it helps you emotionally. You get to talk about y0our loved one. It helps you understand more and have HOPE.