After suicide: Coming together in kindness and support

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article is a personal narrative by Ronnie Walker, MS, LCPC about the suicide of her stepson, Channing, in 1995. It describes the particular journey of shock, despair, disorientation, guilt, and anger that Walker began after the death. It also describes the remarkable personal growth and restoration of meaning that emerged for the author as she began what is now the largest online community of suicide loss survivors in the world, the Alliance of Hope (www.allianceofhope.org). The article also provides numerous examples of the power of supportive community in helping survivors of suicide loss to not only cope but also to demonstrate posttraumatic growth after the suicide of a loved one.