Each day in the U.S. more than 80 people take their own lives, leaving behind loved ones to struggle with the loss, grief and all of those questions that begin “Why …?”

Too often survivors of suicide loss believe the death of their loved one is somehow shameful or that they or their family are to blame. But research shows that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying, although not always diagnosed, psychiatric illness at the time of their death, most often depression.

The holiday season can be particularly difficult for survivors. To help, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s National Survivors of Suicide Day will be held on Nov. 21 in more than 175 cities across the country including Rochester. This program will be held at the Rochester Public Library from 1 to 4 p.m. The program is also available online. For more information visit www.afsp.org.

Cindy L. Fitting

survivor

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