Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors

Kristin Chenoweth "For Good"

“I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow If we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. … It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me, like a hand print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend”

This Month's Photo

  Each month, we invite survivors to share their thoughts about a different photo.  (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)  Add your comment by clicking on the "Comments" link below.  (If you are not yet registered, you will have to register.)  Begin your comments with:  "When I look at this month's photo: I think ... I feel ... I know ... I don't know ...  I wonder ...  I remember... I notice ... or anything else."

December Flickr Photo:  Puzzle by Nauj27 on Flickr

Soul Food

A monthly selection of poetry, readings and more to heal the spirit and fuel the soul. The author of this selection is unknown.

Always Near  

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.  I could see that you were mourning, You found it hard to sleep.

My spirit whispered softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

From the Forum ...

Our forum is a place to discuss the many facets of healing after loss by suicide.  Recently, some members have been talking about:

"Planned Suicide or Impulsive Action"

" My girlfriend never left a note or gave any indication as to why she committed suicide. ... I feel like I barely knew her at all. I'm thinking she committed suicide because perhaps she was always an impulsive person. Even though I'm still dwelling on the reasons "why" I want to know if she planned her suicide or if she did it out of impulse."  Read the entire thread. 

Grief and the Holidays

A Guest Essay by Ellen Rieger MA, LCPC

The first year after a death in the family, holidays will be particularly difficult.  Many of my clients tell me they wish they could just stay in bed with the covers over their heads until January.

I too, am familiar with the feelings of dread that may seem overwhelming when facing holidays.  My five-year-old son died suddenly almost 30 years ago, and I can still recall the pain of the first year as i struggled to not only survive holidays but to simply get through each day.

Clergy Corner

Suicide affects people of all religions and cultures.  Each month, this column features the views of clergy of different faiths.

Fr. Ron Rolheiser on Stigma

"Suicide is most misunderstood of all deaths. 

There is perhaps nothing more painful in the world than for us to lose a loved one to suicide. A couple of months ago, I received a letter from a woman, a mother, who had recently lost her 28-year-old son in this manner.

The young man had been suffering from clinical depression for nearly eight years when he took his own life.

Beyond Surviving: Cyndi Slider's Story

My son Josh took his life 8 years ago. The first days are still a blur. I don't remember much about them. I was out of town at the time, had just started a relationship with David, the man I am married to now.  We had been out for the evening. When we got in, we found frantic messages from my daughter.  I called her and then, I really don't remember much except for handing the phone to David and curling up into a sobbing mess on the floor. He tells me that the sounds I made sounded nonhuman, like my soul was screaming.