Bereavement Issues for the Professional Caregiver
The suicide of a youth may have considerable impact on the caregivers involved.
Losing a youth to suicide is a difficult and stressful event. The death can personally and professionally affect the caregiver who has been involved in the young person's life. Caregivers may re-examine the relationship, asking themselves what they missed and how they might have prevented the death. Other reactions may include: disbelief, shock, feelings of failure, loss of self esteem, a sense of inadequacy, fear of professional consequences, anger and guilt.
Suggestions for coping
- Seek and accept support from trusted colleagues, friends and family.
- Allow yourself time for reflection and healing. Remember that grieving takes time.
- Take advantage of any Employee Assistance Program available to you.
- Practice self-care: getting physical activity, enough sleep and proper nutrition will help you cope with the work of grief.
- Seek legal advice if necessary.
Youth reactions to suicide
Youth may experience a range of reactions to a death by suicide, including:
|
guilt
anger
relief
blame |
denial
anxiety
fear
confusion |
acting out
withdrawal
helplessness
shock |
Helping youth bereaved by suicide
It is possible that caregivers will have contact with a young person who has been bereaved by suicide. Even youth not directly connected with the deceased may still be affected. It may be their first experience with death or major loss. They may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings to adults, as adolescence is also the time when they are trying to become more independent.
Potential strategies to help a bereaved youth
- Remember that young people cannot control where, when or how they will be affected by their grief.
- Answer questions honestly, providing factual information about suicide.
- Understand and allow for the level of the adolescent's development and maturity.
- Remember that you cannot take away the loss, but you can assist young people as they explore and express their grief.
- Recognize that the adolescent's assumptions about control and safety may be challenged or lost.
- Know your own feelings about suicide. If you cannot help a bereaved adolescent without judging or blaming, be prepared to make referrals to other counsellors.
- Remember that adolescents may not be asking you to fix things for them. All they may want is someone to listen to them in an accepting and nonjudgmental way.
Bereavement Issues for the Professional Caregiver
The suicide of a youth may have considerable impact on the caregivers involved.
Losing a youth to suicide is a difficult and stressful event. The death can personally and professionally affect the caregiver who has been involved in the young person's life. Caregivers may re-examine the relationship, asking themselves what they missed and how they might have prevented the death. Other reactions may include: disbelief, shock, feelings of failure, loss of self esteem, a sense of inadequacy, fear of professional consequences, anger and guilt.
Suggestions for coping
- Seek and accept support from trusted colleagues, friends and family.
- Allow yourself time for reflection and healing. Remember that grieving takes time.
- Take advantage of any Employee Assistance Program available to you.
- Practice self-care: getting physical activity, enough sleep and proper nutrition will help you cope with the work of grief.
- Seek legal advice if necessary.
Youth reactions to suicide
Youth may experience a range of reactions to a death by suicide, including:
|
guilt
anger
relief
blame |
denial
anxiety
fear
confusion |
acting out
withdrawal
helplessness
shock |
Helping youth bereaved by suicide
It is possible that caregivers will have contact with a young person who has been bereaved by suicide. Even youth not directly connected with the deceased may still be affected. It may be their first experience with death or major loss. They may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings to adults, as adolescence is also the time when they are trying to become more independent.
Potential strategies to help a bereaved youth
- Remember that young people cannot control where, when or how they will be affected by their grief.
- Answer questions honestly, providing factual information about suicide.
- Understand and allow for the level of the adolescent's development and maturity.
- Remember that you cannot take away the loss, but you can assist young people as they explore and express their grief.
- Recognize that the adolescent's assumptions about control and safety may be challenged or lost.
- Know your own feelings about suicide. If you cannot help a bereaved adolescent without judging or blaming, be prepared to make referrals to other counsellors.
- Remember that adolescents may not be asking you to fix things for them. All they may want is someone to listen to them in an accepting and nonjudgmental way.