I truly appreciate each of you being here. It takes courage to step into your grief and allow yourself to process it—especially in a space like this. I feel honored and deeply grateful to share this journey with you. Grief work can be incredibly challenging at times… and also deeply liberating. Over the past 9 years of my own grieving journey, one thing has become very clear to me: having a support system is essential. I’ve gone to therapy, which helped me in many ways. I’ve participated in neurofeedback, and that supported me as well. I’ve spoken with religious leaders, which brought moments of peace. I’ve also turned to scientific research to better understand suicide, and that gave me knowledge and perspective. But beyond all of that… there is something powerful about community. You—this space, this connection—matter. My intention is to bring what I’ve learned through both personal experience and my background in mental health, and to share it with you in a way that feels supportive, real, and meaningful. I’m here to build this with you. I would truly love to hear from you: What has impacted your journey? What healing paths have you explored? Where would you like us to go next in these conversations? You don’t have to do this alone. 🤍 Feel free to send me a message ! I am here for you and I thank you for being here for me ! Vane

I’ve realized that depression doesn’t last forever but grief does. It is a representation of the love that still remains for our loved one that wishes to be expressed and released. My sister was my friend too, she was caring, loving and I was able to be myself around her. We miss our loved ones when we remember the good times we had, the activities we did together and the moments that were shared. These bursts of sadness come and go, especially as I think of her. Through time the intensity, the frequency has decreased but these burst of sadness come… even after many years of the passing of our loved one. I’ve realized that grief will be forever part of my life and I’ve learned to accept it for what it is, a part of my human experience. I’ve also realized it is a shared experience that unites us in our humanity as a collective. Death does not discriminate race, color, gender, religion or any of the things we use as humans to differentiate or separate ourselves from others. It unifies us in despair and in the feeling of missing the person we loved. I will continue to have these bursts of sadness without shame or guilt. I am learning to honor this part of myself. The part of myself that often wonders if this grief will have an end date. Instead, I move into acceptance and back into love.

I know it’s difficult to go through suicide loss, it’s been more than 9 years since I lost my sister. I have found it difficult to find support too. Even in the midst of being a therapist and being surrounded by many colleagues that study the mind. Even in the midst of a sea of scientific journals and continuous education courses. Science has given me knowledge but human connection has an incredible healing aspect that should not be ignored. When we have a team, a group, a community, we have support. I have know the power of the group by being involved in groups of recovery and support myself. There is a bond we form as we go through an experience that shaped us, traumatized us or deeply impacted us. I’m so thankful to have you on my team - we are in the beginning stages of this group, of our team. I am building for us a foundation of tools for us to have so we have a strong stepping stone forward in talking and processing our loss. We are currently creating a structured healing course and companion workbook designed specifically for suicide loss survivors. This will include guided lessons, reflections, and practical tools to help you better understand your grief, regulate your emotions, and move toward healing—without forgetting your loved one. This community is just the beginning. You are part of something that is growing with you in mind. You are not alone here. Your grief is valid. Your story matters. With all my heart, Vane

Grief is rarely a simple emotional experience. When someone we love dies, our minds often revisit past moments, conversations, and decisions. It is very common for feelings of guilt to arise during the grieving process. However, not all guilt in grief is the same. Two types of guilt that often appear after a loss are general grief-related guilt and survivor’s guilt. While they can feel similar, they come from different psychological processes and affect people in different ways. Understanding the difference can help reduce self-blame and create space for compassion during the healing process. Guilt in Grief Guilt in grief is often connected to regret about past interactions with the person who died. Many people find themselves reflecting on moments in the relationship and wishing they had done things differently. Thoughts may include: - “I wish I had visited more often when they lived.” - “I wish I had a better relationship with them.” - “I should have told them how much they meant to me.” This type of guilt is very common after many types of loss, including deaths from illness, accidents, or natural causes. Psychologically, this response is connected to unfinished emotional business in the relationship. When someone dies, there is no longer an opportunity to repair, apologize, or express love in the way we might wish we had. The mind revisits these moments because it longs to restore the connection. Although these thoughts can feel painful, they are often rooted in love and the desire to have been a better partner, friend, or family member. Importantly, this form of guilt focuses on the relationship itself, not responsibility for the death. Survivor’s guilt is different. Rather than focusing on past interactions, survivor’s guilt centers on the belief that one could have prevented the death or should have suffered instead of the person who died. Common thoughts may include: - “If I had noticed the signs, maybe they would be alive” - “Why am I still here when they’re gone?” - “I should have done something to stop this.”