Hospice offers support for those coping with suicide

Hospice of Hilo will host a monthly bereavement support group, “Survivors of Suicide,” specifically designed to meet the needs of those with a loved one who has committed suicide.

The sessions will start Tuesday, June 12, and continue monthly, on each second Tuesday. For details, please call 969-1733.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, more than 30,000 people in the United States commit suicide every year. The legacy of suicide often leaves survivors with a heavy load to carry.

“Survivors of suicide face a grieving process that is distinctly different from those facing losses of a different nature,” said Hospice of Hilo community bereavement counselor Cathy Hough. Survivors are often left without the comfort of friends and loved ones, who often don’t know how to respond to such a shocking event.

“Survivors often feel guilt, shame, and embarrassment, leaving them reluctant to seek bereavement support,” said Hough. “A bereavement support group specifically for survivors of suicide can provide a safe space to share feelings and find comfort.”