Why shouldn‘t I blame myself after a suicide

The deep pain of losing a loved one to suicide can bring out many questions and doubts.

Know that you are not to blame. Remember that it was not your fault. It was your loved one who made that choice, not you.

Guilt is all about intention. Had you known that he/she was going to commit suicide, you would have done what you could to stop it.

Accept that you did the best you could with what you knew at the time. And if you slipped up and maybe didn’t take their worries seriously at the time, understand that humans make mistakes. You are human too. It wasn’t intentional.

IMPORTANT: If you feel suicidal yourself from grief or guilt, understand that you are experiencing something that is very common and very understandable. But please reach out for professional help immediately if you have suicidal thoughts.

Sources

• Felicitas Heyne, Psychologist
• Audiopedia ID: en020922