International Survivors of suicide loss day
By Arshia Verma
On Saturday, November 6th, 2021, Réapparition Journal was invited to host a booth at the American Foundation for Suicide Foundation’s Annual Fundraiser Walk in Texas. The event had an incredible turnout, and it was touching to see those who had lost a loved one remember that they are not alone.
This year, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is on Saturday, November 20. After an isolating pandemic, it is now, more than ever, important to find a community of people who can understand the grief, guilt, and pain of losing a loved one to suicide. With the holiday season being especially tough, this day was placed before Thanksgiving to support survivors.
Survivor Day reminds survivors to focus more on the good times they had with their lost loved one using positive coping mechanisms rather than focusing on the guilt associated with the suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) supports survivor events by showing a documentary that encourages growth, resilience, and close connections between fellow survivors. It is important to provide resources that help survivors get through because they don’t always feel that they have a support system due to the nature of their loved one’s death.
Almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year and almost 50% of Americans know someone who has committed suicide. For every suicide death, at least six people are affected by grief, and about 6 million Americans have become suicide loss survivors over the past 25 years. While suicide is increasingly being recognized as a public health problem, there is still a significant social stigma associated with suicide which can make it more challenging for survivors to cope with their loss.
If you, or someone you love, is suffering from a mental illness, please seek help. The US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. For free, anonymous 24/7 crisis support in the US, you can text TALK to 741741. International suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
