Coping With Suicide Loss in Saskatchewan: Resources and Support
Losing a loved one to suicide is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. The feelings of grief, guilt, anger, and confusion are profound. The sense of loss can feel truly insurmountable. Unfortunately, suicide rates in Saskatchewan are higher than the national average according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. This means that many families and communities in the province have been shattered by this tragedy.
If you have lost someone to suicide in Saskatchewan, it's crucial to know that you are not alone. There are support services, counseling resources, and community groups available to help you through this incredibly difficult time. While nothing can take away the pain of your loss, these supports can provide invaluable guidance, understanding, and healing as you grieve and begin to rebuild your life after suicide.
Saskatchewan HealthLine 811
One of the first places to turn to is the Saskatchewan HealthLine at 811. This free, confidential 24/7 health advisory service can connect you to mental health resources, counseling services, and community supports specific to your location and situation after a suicide loss. The HealthLine consultation team includes mental health professionals who can help you start processing your grief in a healthy manner.
Survivor Support Program
The Survivor Support Program through the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association provides specific resources and services for people who have lost someone to suicide. This includes one-on-one counseling, support groups, referrals to local therapists, and connections to others who have experienced a similar loss. Having access to others who truly understand what you're going through can make a profound difference.
Silverwood Canadian Support Group
The Silverwood Canadian Support Group has support meetings across Saskatchewan for survivors of suicide loss. These peer-led groups provide a safe, compassionate space to share your experiences, thoughts, and feelings around the suicide without fear of judgment. Meeting others on a similar journey can help with healing and overcoming the isolation that survivors often experience.
HOPE 647 Support Line
For times when you are struggling, feeling alone, or having thoughts of suicide yourself after a devastating loss, the HOPE 647 support line is available 24/7. Trained crisis support workers can provide caring listening, intervention, and connections to additional suicide prevention resources in your area.
Online Support Groups
In addition to in-person groups, there are online support communities for survivors of suicide loss that can be accessed anytime. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention hosts regular virtual support groups facilitated by professionals. These can provide meaningful outlets when meeting in-person is difficult. Online forums like the one through the American Association of Suicidology can also connect you with others who understand your pain.
Tragedy Assistance Program (TAPS)
While TAPS (the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) is primarily focused on those grieving a military loss, they have extensive resources that can help anyone coping with traumatic grief after a suicide. This includes access to a national peer support network, seminars and webinars on suicide loss, connections to mental health professionals, youth programs, and more.
Local Crisis Services Depending on where you live in Saskatchewan, there may also be local crisis lines, counseling centers, support groups, and organizations that can aid in your healing journey. Reaching out to a local distress line can connect you to resources close to home. Places of worship, community centers, and cultural organizations may also have specific supports available.
Aboriginal Support Services For Indigenous communities impacted by suicide loss in Saskatchewan, there are several services that provide culturally-appropriate healing supports. The Residential Services Crisis Line and Health Canada's mental health benefits program offer counseling and community-based crisis response services. The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre in Saskatoon and similar Indigenous organizations around the province have counselors, elders, and healing rituals to help process grief.
Take Care of Yourself Losing someone to suicide can lead to intense trauma and severe psychological distress. It's normal to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, emotional numbness, and more in the aftermath. While support networks are invaluable, it's also crucial to prioritize your own self-care during this time.
Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you grieve. Seek counseling or therapy if you are struggling to process the loss. Pay close attention to your physical and mental health by maintaining routines, eating well, exercise if possible, resting when needed, journaling your thoughts and feelings, and participating in practices that help you stay grounded. It's a long journey, so don't be afraid to put your needs first.
No matter where you are in Saskatchewan, there are qualified mental health professionals and local support groups that can help you cope with the unimaginable loss of suicide. While the pain may never fully go away, with support, you can find ways to manage your grief, honor your loved one's memory, and start to look towards healing. The tragedy of suicide loss is devastating, but you don't have to go through it alone.
