Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention & Life After Loss

Written By: Marie Brandon, BSN, RN, Certified Grief Educator

The Weight of Silence

There are moments when the silence in a house can be deafening. It’s in those moments our minds fill with could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. Maybe a missed phone call, a coffee cup left half-full, a question no one thought to ask.
During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we pause to learn, to listen, and to act so maybe there’s one less should’ve.

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Why Awareness Matters

Every year, suicide claims nearly 800,000 lives worldwide. It’s one of the leading causes of death for people aged 15–29.
Mental health is not a “them” issue, it’s an “all of us” issue. Suicide prevention is possible. Knowing the warning signs of suicide and offering consistent support can save lives.

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Grief Induced Suicidal Thoughts

When my 22-year-old son died in a motorcycle accident, my entire world shattered. I didn’t just lose him; I lost the version of myself that existed before that day. In the quiet after the phone calls and the funeral, I remember lying awake thinking, I don’t know how to live this life without him.
The grief was so heavy I contemplated ending my own life just to make the pain stop. Suicidal thoughts crept in during the darkest hours. I wore a mask to prove I was “strong,” while inside I was crumbling. Stigma made me feel even more isolated.

I never acted on those thoughts, but they were real. I’ve never shared that before. I do so now, not for pity, but to break the silence so many of us keep. Grief and mental health struggles are deeply connected. Reaching out for help saved me and it can save you or someone you love.
I still carry my grief every day. But I also carry proof that speaking your pain, no matter how messy, can save you. If you’re in that place now, if you’ve ever thought like I did, hear this: you are not broken, you are not a burden, and you are not alone.

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Suicide Statistics and Key Facts*

• Impact: Someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the U.S.
• Age: In 2023–2024, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death among ages 10–34. People 85+ had the highest rates. (CDC)
• Demographics: Males accounted for 80% of suicides in 2023, despite being half the population. Rates were highest among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people.
• Methods: Firearms remain the most common at 55%.
• Beyond death: In 2023, there were an estimated 1.5 million suicide attempts in the U.S.
These numbers are more than statistics. They are urgent reminders that mental distress is real, often unspoken, and too often untreated.
*Most current data available from the CDC Suicide Statistics.

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Survivor’s Grief and Stigma

Losing someone to suicide leaves survivors carrying not only grief but also shame, bewilderment, and isolation. They may ask endless whys and face judgment from others or from themselves.
Research shows stigma prolongs grief, increases risk of depression, and makes reaching out harder. That’s why language matters.
Saying someone “committed” suicide suggests a crime. A better phrase is “died from suicide.” Even casual comments like joking about wanting to die or mimicking a gun-to-the-head gesture can be painful triggers.
Friends and communities can help by listening without judgment, using the person’s name, acknowledging the loss, and avoiding clichés. Now we know better, so we can do better.

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Warning Signs

If someone (or you) shows several of these, don’t ignore them:
• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
• Expressing hopelessness or believing things won’t improve
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
• Drastic mood swings; rage, agitation, or severe anxiety
• Sleep changes; insomnia or oversleeping
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Giving away prized possessions or saying goodbye
What to do immediately: If you believe someone is in danger, ask directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Stay with them, remove means (firearms, sharp objects), and connect them to professional help right away.

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Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, free help is available:
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 & press 1
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860
• International: International Association for Suicide Prevention IASP
• Medical & mental health professionals: Therapists, psychiatrists, school counselors
• Emergency services: If someone is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number
Save these numbers. Keep them where you can reach instantly.

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How You Can Help

You don’t need to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Small, consistent actions matter:

1. Ask directly: “Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
2. Stay and listen: Offer presence and empathy without trying to “fix” everything.
3. Create a safety plan together: Identify crisis contacts, remove dangerous items, set supportive routines.
4. Support professional help: Offer to go with them, help with logistics, reassure them it’s a strength to seek care.
5. Check in consistently: The weeks after a crisis are fragile. A text, call, or walk can be an anchor.

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Hope and Healing

If you’ve lost a loved one to suicide, survived a suicide attempt, or struggled with suicidal thoughts, know this: your grief matters, your story matters, and you are not alone.
Together, we can break the silence, challenge stigma, and build hope. One conversation at a time.

xo, Marie