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Kristoff St. John lost someone to suicide. If you did, too, there are people who can help

Anne Godlasky   | Paste BN

We don't yet know the cause of death for "Young and the Restless" actor Kristoff St. John at age 52. We do know that, like anyone, he was never the same after his son's suicide. 

Suicide loss survivors, parents particularly, see increased rates of depression, anxiety disorders and marital breakup, as well as an increased rates of physical disorders, such as heart disease and hypertension. Suicide loss survivors themselves also face increased risk of suicide. 

Loss survivors number six to 32 for each suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meaning that in 2017 alone, as many as 1.5 million people unwillingly became part of this group.

Ruminating on the unanswerable why — and the feelings of guilt that often accompanies that — can be difficult for loss survivors to get over. As Laura Trujillo wrote in her Q&A to you last week, one of her biggest revelations was learning to "be OK with the unknown."

Coping can be easier if you get a lot of support from friends and loved ones. For some people (though not all), post-traumatic growth (PTG) is possible. PTG can include greater appreciation for life, greater compassion for others and greater spiritual connection, among other positives.

About a year after Robin Williams' death by suicide, his daughter Zelda Williams wrote about her own depression on Instagram, with some inspiring words we'll leave you with: 

“[F]or those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel. But if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope ..."

In addition to the usual Suicide Lifeline, here are other resources specific to survivors of suicide loss:

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