Working with survivors on suicide grief

AS PART of Suicide Awareness Week this year, the SOS (Samaritans of Singapore) is planning to organise a workshop on “Working with Survivors on Suicide Grief” specially for Methodist pastors and leaders.

There must be at least 20 participants before the SOS can conduct the three-hour workshop, from 9 am to noon, at the SOS Training Wing, Block 10, Cantonment Close, #01-01 (multi-storey car park) on Sept 16, 2009.

The training fee is $100 per participant (inclusive of handouts & refreshments).

What is suicide grief like? What is the emotional impact on survivors? How can the SOS help facilitate healing in survivors?

The workshop will impart skills on working with suicide survivors as well as provide the opportunity to share with participants the feedback the SOS has gathered from survivors about what has been helpful and less helpful. 

In Singapore, at least one person commits suicide every day. A suicide never affects just one life since family members and loved ones are often left behind as survivors.

The SOS has been conducting workshops to prepare counsellors and social workers who work with survivors on managing their suicide grief. The SOS has also been working with suicide survivors who are church goers, who have shared their experiences, expectations and disappointments about the response from within their own Christian community.

Here is an excerpt from Why? When Both My Parents Took Their Lives, a book written by Yin, a suicide survivor supported by the SOS.

I could not pray.

I did not choose this journey;

It chose me, I had no say.

Oh God, why did you

Let him die that way?

I could not pray.

The shock, the truth,

The shocking truth of what was said.

Oh God, where were you

When my father died that day?

How could I pray?

No comfort left for me.

First you let suicide take my mother;

Oh God, was my lesson better learnt

When it also took my father?

How could I pray?

Left standing here in naked sorrow

Bereft of hope and branded;

Oh God, did you see me,

And did you feel me bleed?

Oh Lord,

I am so weary,

I walk alone, I am in need.

My words are full of anger

But my soul is full of grief.

Oh Lord,

Somehow you heard me,

Or was it me who did not see

For when I looked again

With your grace I saw relief.

With outstretched arms

They held me

And journeyed with my fears

And hand in hand we’re walking

Though our path is marked with tears.

I do not know, I’ll never know

Why this painful journey chose me.

But I thank you God

For those you sent

To walk this journey with me.