​Healthy Healing:

​Ways to Cope with Loss

THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO FEEL.

​You are not alone.
Pain and grief can transform with time. 
​There are resources and support available to get you through this difficult time.
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When your world has been altered by the loss of a loved one to suicide, it can be difficult to imagine anything beyond tremendous grief.  If you are a new survivor, you may experience a wide range of emotions.  You may feel anxious, angry, or have a tremendous sense of guilt.  You may have difficulty eating, sleeping, or functioning in your daily life.  You may be grieving while caring for children or others who have been impacted by this loss.
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• Be Patient: Know that everyone grieves at their own pace.
• Take Care of Yourself: Eat well, sleep, get exercise and fresh air. 
• Seek Professional Help: Many people find that counseling helps them deal with grief.
• Learn About Suicide Loss: Knowing what to expect can help you get through tough times.
• Connect with Others: Find comfort by reaching out to others who care about you or may understand your loss.

Grief & Loss Brochure

Have you, or someone you know, recently lost someone to suicide?

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​To help the survivors of suicide loss in the Flathead County, the “Bluebird Box” initiative was formed. These boxes are a care package filled with blankets, tea, and information regarding support for a suicide loss, a list of survivors willing to talk, support groups in the area, and a list of therapists. The Bluebird Box includes literature on surviving a suicide loss as well as literature for children coping with grief.
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Request a Box

​At this time we are only able to fulfill requests for those that reside in the Flathead Valley.

GRIEF & LOSS RESOURCES

Tamarack Grief Resource Center

Helping individuals & communities navigate grief & loss through counseling, camps & retreats, school-based programs, support groups, workshops, urgent response support, & professional education. 

TGRC

Eluna Resource Center

Addressing the critical needs of children experiencing emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance abuse in their family. They also have youth "care packages" for purchase.

​eluna RC

Alliance of Hope

Online support and other services for people who are coping with loss to suicide. Online forum operates like a 24/7 support group.

AoH

The Dougy Center

A humanistic and holistic approach to understanding and supporting children and families who are grieving.

Dougy Center

Grief Share

Find a local or online support group to help you move through the grief process.

Grief Share

Mindwise Innovations

Find videos & PDFs to support yourself, students, co-workers, parents and caregivers, and communities. 

Mindwise

Untangle Grief

An app that helps navigate life's challenges that come after a death.

Untangle

National Alliance for Children's Grief

Connecting grieving children to needed resources.

NACG Website

Books and Films for Loss Survivors

​A listing of books recommended by AFSP for loss survivors to find helpful information and guidance as they navigate their healing journey.

Books & Films

Children, Teens and Suicide Loss

An AFSP guide to help navigate young people through the practical realities of suicide loss.

Help for youth

Healing Conversations

Healing Conversations is a one-time visit (phone, virtual, in-person)  that connects those who have lost a loved one to suicide with trained volunteers who are also survivors of suicide loss.

AFSP HC

NCF Brochures

Adult to Teen Support

​LEARN steps to help identify  if a young person is thinking about suicide and how to navigate the conversation and get help.

Adult to Adult

​LEARN steps to help identify if someone is thinking about suicide, how to navigate the conversation, and resources.

Grief & Loss 

Helpful ways to cope with suicide loss, How to safely talk to kids about a suicide, resources, and other common questions.

If you are an organization that would like printed brochures/resources to have on hand for clients, employees, or the general public:

Resource Request Form

Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors
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Talking with a Suicide Loss Survivor

 Ten helpful tips to help you navigate conversations with suicide loss survivors in a kind, thoughtful, and responsible way.

#RealConvo

How to Support a Grieving Family

A Mindwise blog with ideas and advice on how to support people and families who have lost a loved one. 

Mindwise Blog

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Crisis Lines

If you, or someone you know, needs immediate help these lines will help connect you with the resources needed.
​FREE & confidential. 24/7.

Crisis Text Line

Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor about anxiety, gun violence, suicide, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders & self harm.

Crisis Line

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988

Crisis Action Toolkit for Schools

Has your school had a loss due to suicide and need direction? 

​Schools play a critical role in suicide prevention for current students and for future generations of Montanans, who need to know more about the warning signs of suicide and how to take action to save a life.  

This Montana CAST-S Toolkit was developed by co-authors Dr. Scott Poland and Dr. Donna Poland in collaboration with Montana OPI, SAM, DPHHS, Montana Association of Pediatric Psychiatrists, and NAMI Montana for the express use by Montana schools. ​

Montana's CAST-S