Rising After the Storm: Healing from the Trauma of Suicide

Suicide is one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. Even I have been through not once but twice. Whether you’ve lost someone you love or you’ve survived your own attempt, the impact can feel like a storm that tears through every part of life.

It leaves questions that may never be answered. It stirs up guilt, anger, confusion, and sorrow all at once. And it can feel impossible to imagine life beyond that pain.

But healing is possible. Rising after the storm doesn’t mean forgetting what happened—it means finding your strength again, step by step, and creating a life that honours your pain and your resilience. I am your coach here to help you.

1. Honour Your Emotions Instead of Hiding Them

Grief after suicide is complicated. You might feel sadness one moment and anger the next. Or you might feel completely numb. All of these emotions are normal responses to trauma.

Instead of pushing them away, give yourself permission to feel them. Journaling, creative expression, or simply saying, “This hurts, and that’s okay” is a powerful step toward release.

2. Let Go of the “What Ifs”

Survivors often wrestle with self-blame:

• What if I had noticed the signs?

• What if I had been there?

The truth is, suicide is rarely the result of one moment or one choice. It’s a complex struggle, and no one carries full responsibility for another person’s decision.

Letting go of the “what ifs” doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you’re choosing to set yourself free from a burden you were never meant to carry.

3. Share the Story in Safe Spaces

Pain grows heavier when it stays in silence. Speaking your story—even if it’s messy, broken, or unfinished—can bring relief and clarity. Shared mine with many people in my life and you should too!

That might mean opening up to a trusted friend, joining a support group, or working with a therapist or coach. Every time you put words to your experience, you remind yourself: I am more than my trauma.

4. Rebuild Life One Small Step at a Time

Healing doesn’t happen in giant leaps—it happens in small, daily choices.

• Take a walk outside.

• Drink water.

• Create something, no matter how small.

• Reach out to someone you trust.

These acts might feel ordinary, but they are extraordinary when you’re healing. They are proof that you are still here, still moving, still choosing life.

5. Transform Pain into Purpose

In time, many people find meaning in their healing journey. This might look like raising awareness, supporting others who struggle, or simply living with compassion and gratitude for life.

Turning pain into purpose doesn’t erase what happened—it gives it weight and value, allowing you to carry it differently.

Final Thought

Overcoming the trauma of suicide isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about learning to live again, even with the scar.

You can rise after the storm.
You can reclaim joy.
And you can build a life that not only survives, but thrives.