"Survivor Outlook" shares the voices of survivors of suicide loss whose experiences with grief and recovery have been reported in the news. To learn more about the survivors quoted, follow the links to the complete stories. Learn how you can suggest a story.
"I call his name, three times, by the steps, and I didn't heard anything, and that's when I went downstairs. The TV was off and -- that's how I found my son. He was gone. It is a horrible feeling when you hold your child's hand, and you can't do anything to save them." Angela Wesener, mother of Jonathan Wesener, 16, who died by suicide in May. (Appleton Post-Crescent, Wisconsin)
"We all have the most innate desire to survive. Thats our core need on the planet is to live, and when someone gets to the point that they take their own life ... that shows what hopelessness really feels like." Ganel-Lyn Condie, Lehi, Utah, sister of Meggan Killough, who died by suicide in 2014 at age 40 (Seth Adam Smith's "Keep Moving Forward" blog)
"At times it feels like forever. At times it feels like just yesterday." Shelley Davies, Alberta, Canada, whose son Keenan died by suicide in 2014 at age 22. (EMS World)
"We will never fully understand the impulsive actions that led to Drew's death. We want to encourage anyone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide to reach out for help immediately. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength." Dan Lienemann, father of Drew, 18, who died by suicide on Jan. 11 (Des Moines Register, Iowa)
"Damien was my childhood sweetheart who became my loving husband. He was also a father who loved his two children very much. ... My wish is for Damien to be remembered as a well-respected and valued member of our family and our community." Melissa Little, wife of Damien, who died by suicide on Jan. 4, after killing the couple's two sons, Koda, 4, and Hunter, 9 months (The Advertiser, Adelaide, SA, Australia)
"I'll never forget, when I got the call in the morning that my son had died, suicide never, ever crossed my mind ... In reality, suicide is the second leading cause of death for somebody his age ... it should have been the second thing I thought of, and I never once [did] -- because I was unaware." Erik Cornelius, father of Alex, 15, who died by suicide in 2011 (Green Bay Press Gazette, Wisconsin)
"No matter how he died, if he did kill himself, he was a casualty of war." Bronwyn De Maso, sister of Cmdr. Job W. Price, 42, whose death in Afghanistan in 2012 was ruled a suicide (New York Times)
"The other thing that we walked away with was there were no answers to our questions. No one sitting there [in the support group meeting] can unequivocally say why their son or daughter or boyfriend or girlfriend ... took their life. No one can say absolutely why." Charles Coppola, father of Joann Coppola Trull, who died by suicide in 2014 at age 43. (Lowell Sun, Massachusetts)
"She was a fantastic mum, and as a friend she was the one person we could turn to if you felt low or down ... We want her to be remembered for the person she was when she was alive, not when she died." Angela Powell, friend of Sharna, who died by suicide in October (The Chronicle, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia)
"Eddie Adamson deserves to be recognized, and given the proper homage ... Back in the day, [police officers] were simply told to suck it up, and get on with it. If only it were that easy. But it isn't." Toronto Police Association president Dave Wilson, on behalf of Toronto police Staff Sgt. Edward Adamson, who died by suicide in 2005 (Toronto Sun)
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