Honouring the experience of loss survivors

The term “lived experience” covers a broad range of people whose lives have been touched by suicide in different ways. One such group is those who have lost a loved one to suicide. As International Survivors of Suicide Day approaches, we honour loss survivors who allow themselves to be vulnerable in order to share their stories in an effort to inspire change in the field. 

Members of the SafeSide team recently travelled to the Living Beyond Suicide Summit, organised by United Survivors of Suicide International. The summit brought people together to discuss the importance of lived experience in all aspects of caring for those affected by suicide, with a strong emphasis on loss survivors. A few of the takeaways our team found powerful are:

• It is important to always remember the person as they were - their unique personality, what made them special - not how they took their life. Participants shared many stories about loved ones who were funny, smart, and accomplished - the things that truly matter about who a person is. 
• Everyone honours their loved one in a unique way. There is no right or wrong way to remember someone, or a set timeline for grief. Healing is not linear, and survivors all need something unique on their healing journey. 

SafeSide Prevention extends our heartfelt wishes for healing and peace to all loss survivors and their loved ones.