Reading Material | Sweetwatercountyloss

Reading Materials

These reading materials can be a great start toward understanding and coping with your grief. The top row has very brief and easily accessible guides. They may be best to start with. The ones below are more detailed and will require more time and concentration.

Suicide and Grief at a Glance

This is a good document to start with. It provides brief, understandable explanations of early stages of suicide grief and gives quick tips for caring for yourself and others during this time.

Beyond Surviving: Suggestions for Survivors of Suicide Loss

This list, by Iris M. Bolton, provides 25 suggestions for survivors. These suggestions are quick, helpful reminders that may be referenced throughout the day. You can print this out and hang it on your fridge, desk, or door to help you through the difficult weeks ahead.

Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors (AAS)

This one-pager from the American Association of Suicidology is another quick source for facts on grieving and some helpful online resources.

Surviving a Suicide Loss: Resource and Healing Guide (AFSP)

This guide from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has more specific information on coping with grief and participating in the survivors of suicide loss community.

Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss (AFSP and Dougby Center)

This 48-page guide helps people to support children and teens through a suicide loss. It provides age-appropriate ways to speak about the loss, support children's grief, and manage returns to school, among other things.

Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide (AFSP and NEFE)

Created by the AFSP and the National Endowment for Financial Education, this guide provides financial action steps to be completed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year after your loss. Financial problems can be difficult to focus on after a traumatic event, but following the steps in this guide can make them a little easier and help to keep financial problems from adding another stressor to your life.