The Loss of a Friend

If your teen is dealing with the loss of a friend to suicide, it is very important that you make yourself available to talk to him or her. Your teen will most likely be experiencing a wide range of confusing emotions, and your teen’s inability to understand these feelings can often make the grieving process harder.

A very common emotion following the suicide or attempted suicide of a friend is the feeling of guilt. Often, teens feel as though they “should have known” something was bothering their friend, or that they should have “been there” or done something that could have prevented the suicide. Acknowledge your teen’s feelings of guilt, and assure him or her that it’s normal to feel guilty, but the suicide is not their fault. Your teen may also feel angry at the friend for being selfish or feel empty or shell shocked. All of these emotions are normal and valid, and your teen should not feel ashamed for feeling them.

While your teen may not be ready to talk immediately following the suicide of a close friend, suggest he or she take advantage of school counselors or grief specialists called in by many schools following the death of a student. You may also want to offer your teen the opportunity to attend a private grief counselor, or suggest they speak with another trusted adult.