Losing a loved one to suicide is an incredibly painful and often isolating experience. The grief felt after suicide is distinct from other types of grief, in that you may experience a more complex range of emotions, including shock, guilt, anger, confusion, and shame [1]. Grieving any loss is difficult, but the stigma around suicide amplifies feelings of isolation and despair among those suffering. Additionally, lacking clarity around the circumstances of the death can compound hard feelings and complicate the bereavement process [2].
The Importance of Support in the Grief Process
Grief is different for everyone; however, finding consistent emotional support is an invaluable part of the bereavement process [3]. If you have lost someone to suicide, it’s important to have a safe space to express yourself and receive emotional support and validation. Whether that space is held by bereaved families, friends, peers, or professionals, grief support groups can create a sense of community and lessen the burden and feelings of isolation.
When grieving, look for outlets for connection throughout the bereavement process, including online grief support groups, virtual therapy services, and community forums [4]. The flexibility, accessibility, and anonymity of these resources reach beyond the scope of traditional, in-person support groups and allow you to process your feelings while balancing the demands of your daily life.
Understanding Grief After Suicide
When you have lost someone to suicide, you may encounter an array of intense emotions and stages of grief that can be challenging to bear, including:
- Shock and disbelief: The abruptness of suicide can evoke feelings of numbness or confusion and make it difficult to process or accept the loss.
- Guilt and self-blame: During grief, you can often feel as though you had some responsibility in preventing the death and wonder about missed signs or opportunities to intervene.
- Anger and resentment: You may feel angry at the person who died, the circumstances surrounding the suicide, or even yourself.
- Relief: In tandem with your sadness, you might feel relieved that your loved one has died if they endured a chronic illness or addiction. In turn, you might experience guilt for feeling relieved [1, 2, 3, 4].
Due to the stigma around suicide, when you experience grief, you may often feel so ashamed that you refrain from sharing the loss with those around you [1]. This shame might prevent you from reaching out and finding non-judgmental support, contributing to isolation, prolonged emotional pain, and a slower healing process.
Traditional support methods, like family members, friends, or in-person groups are helpful but have shortcomings. Friends and family may not be educated or emotionally strong enough to provide support, and it may be uncomfortable for both parties to discuss suicide [4]. In-person support groups are effective but may be logistically difficult to access due to geographical distance or scheduling. The vulnerability that is required in face-to-face interactions can also feel like a barrier when you are grieving.
Related: Types of Grief
The Rise of Online Grief Support Groups
Online grief support groups are digital spaces where you can gather with those who have also lost a loved one. Online groups are facilitated by clinicians or trained peers, offering a space to share your story and receive emotional support, from the comfort and safety of your home. Most groups occur live or asynchronously through chat, video conferencing, or forums. Some groups address grief more broadly, while others specialize in grief after suicide.
There are many forms of virtual support groups you can attend such as:
- Zoom video support groups
- Phone in support groups
- Private Facebook groups
Specialized online grief support groups can help meet the unique needs of grieving the loss of a loved one due to suicide, addressing the complex emotions of this type of grief in a compassionate and supportive environment [3]. These groups can be formatted as discussion boards, moderated panels, or therapy groups with an emphasis on suicide loss.
Benefits of Online Support Groups for Grief
Online support groups differ from in-person groups as they are easily accessible–transportation issues or most physical limitations do not apply. You can participate at a location and time that is convenient to you.
Asynchronous platforms also allow you to digest information and share your feelings at an organic pace. Additionally, the online format creates a sense of anonymity, which allows you to feel safe sharing deep, complex feelings. Online groups unite you with others from many different walks of life, which provides you with new and unique perspectives on healing. This diversity can help you understand that your grief, feelings, and experiences are understandable and valid [4].
Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for Grief
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a structured mental health program that provides various forms of mental health support, such as individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, and case management. An IOP is an elevated form of mental health care for those needing extra support in this difficult time with multiple therapeutic sessions per week, whereas traditional grief counseling usually meets once per week.
The frequency of sessions in IOP allows for many opportunities to check in and receive support throughout the bereavement process. IOP sessions offer specialized support for you after suicide, focusing on processing guilt, shame, anger, and loss while developing effective coping skills [4].
A typical virtual IOP for grief includes skills-based workshops and group therapy led by a team of credentialed clinicians. It also includes individual counseling and case management sessions to develop and reinforce strategies to cope with the complex and evolving emotions caused by loss.
Related: What is Grief Counseling?
Benefits of Virtual IOP for Those in Grief After Suicide
Virtual IOPs can lessen feelings of isolation by offering regular group check-ins that focus on building community in an online environment. Group therapy provides a space for when you are experiencing grief to share your experience, listen to others, and exchange emotional support and validation.
Community and Connection
Over the course of the virtual IOP, you will form bonds with your peers and create a community with people who are actively unpacking the stigma around suicide loss. As you witness your peers experience healing, you build emotional resilience and experience hope and inspiration within your own bereavement process.
Group and Individual Support
In addition to building community, virtual IOPs offer support on an individual level. Therapists offer bespoke guidance to you given the full context of your unique bereavement process and life circumstances.
Learn Coping Skills
Whether in group or individual sessions, a virtual IOP provides you with an array of coping mechanisms, including thought reframing, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and communication skills, which support the bereavement process.
Choosing an Effective Virtual Support Group
When choosing an online support group, it’s important to find a program that prevents any technical challenges, provides specialized support, and offers a schedule that fits with your daily life.
Confidentiality and Privacy
During grief support groups, you want to feel safe sharing your feelings and experiences without fear of exposure. For this reason, it’s important to find an online group that has strong confidentiality policies to maintain the privacy of your personal information.
Addressing Technical Challenges
Technology may present challenges to online groups, including device limitations and unstable internet connectivity. Try finding an online support group that has effective IT services that address any technical difficulties swiftly so that the group is not disrupted.
Interactive and Engaging Format
You may struggle to stay engaged while participating in virtual groups or education. For this reason, try finding a support group that is dynamic and interactive so that you can maintain balance to the group experience.
Crisis Support Measures
Find an online group that has measures in place for crisis situations so that you are readily supplied with helpful resources or professional guidance when in severe distress.
What to Know
When committing to a support group, clarify the structure and content of the program. You will want to understand the schedule of the program, including meeting times and frequency. You will also want to understand the exact treatments offered, including specific therapies and psychoeducation programs.
Suicide-Specific Programming
When looking for online support after suicide loss, consider finding a program that specializes in suicide loss rather than grief more broadly. Specialized support will allow you to process your grief with those facing similar complex emotions and stigma.
Additionally, look into the host of these online sessions and prioritize groups facilitated by licensed clinical therapists or clinicians rather than peers. Receiving guidance from experts will ensure that your therapy and psychoeducation is safe, effective, and evidence-based [5].
Clear Behavioral Health’s Approach to Virtual Grief Support
At Clear Behavioral Health, we understand how painful and isolating it can feel to lose a loved one to suicide. It’s important to us that you are able to access quality grief treatment that meets your unique needs. We offer services morning, afternoon, and evening to fit your schedule.
Our group sessions provide spaces for you to express feelings, be understood, and receive guidance through the various emotions and changes encountered while grieving.
Our Online Grief Program’s Key Features
Clear Behavioral Health offers a virtual IOP program that provides comprehensive support for those navigating suicide loss. The program incorporates a range of treatment modalities, such as processing groups, psychoeducation workshops, individual therapy, and case management. Our program offers techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness-based practices to promote healthy coping and self-regulation skills.
Commitment to Privacy and Ease of Access
To ensure privacy and access in the digital setting, we provide sessions through a HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platform and offer simple scheduling through our client portal. All sessions are led by licensed mental health professionals with expertise in grief and loss. Our team is committed to compassionate and holistic care, regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our programs and working with you to make sure you have support even after the program ends.
Words from Past Participants:
After receiving our services, our participants report feeling validated by others, gaining practical coping strategies, and developing lasting friendships. Some clients left insightful reviews:
“After losing a lot of loved ones, this process with Clear has really helped me walk into the future with tools that I’m going to use moving forward.”
“The part of IOP that helped me the most is slowing down and digging into the problems. Spending time to reflect, especially with the mindfulness practices, has helped me to reground myself. It’s nice to have a supportive group to talk through these things and not feel the judgment. It helps me see the deep layers in all of us and the beauty in the things that we’re working through.”
“I’m proud that I committed to this. It has helped me get in touch with myself. It feels good to have accountability, structure, and friendly people.”
Moving Forward With Online Support
Grief looks different for everyone, and the healing process is anything but linear. No matter what phase of the bereavement journey you’re experiencing, online grief support can provide you with effective and accessible care.
When you are ready for the next step in your healing journey, we invite you to explore your support options with Clear Behavioral Health. Our team is here to support you.
To learn more about our mental health programs or to schedule a consultation, please contact us. Our team is happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process of getting started with our virtual grief support services and online IOP serving all of California.
If you or someone you know is needing more immediate help, consider these free, confidential, 24/7 resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call or text 9-8-8
Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” to 741741
California Peer-Run Warmline: call 1-855-600-WARM
Amidst even the darkest, most uncertain times, healing is possible. Given the right resources, tools, and support, you will find hope and continue moving forward.
References
- Worden, J. W. (2018). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (5th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826134752
- Tal Young, I., Iglewicz, A., Glorioso, D., Lanouette, N., Seay, K., Ilapakurti, M., & Zisook, S. (2012). Suicide bereavement and complicated grief. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 14(2), 177–186. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.2/iyoung
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.) Surviving a Suicide Loss: Resource and Healing Guide. https://aws-fetch.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/flipbooks/survivingASuicideLoss/index.html
- Pompili, M., Shrivastava, A., Serafini, G., Innamorati, M., Milelli, M., Erbuto, D., Ricci, F., Lamis, D. A., Scocco, P., Amore, M., Lester, D., & Girardi, P. (2013). Bereavement after the suicide of a significant other. Indian journal of psychiatry, 55(3), 256–263. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.117145
- Higgins, A., Hybholt, L., Meuser, O. A., Eustace Cook, J., Downes, C., & Morrissey, J. (2022). Scoping Review of Peer-Led Support for People Bereaved by Suicide. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), 3485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063485
