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COPING WHO WE ARE The Nate Chute Foundation is a 501 C 3 non profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention through education awareness and outreach services PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN STICK TO THE BASICS If your child asks about someone who died by suicide keep it simple Acknowledge that the person died because they were sick and that it is really sad when people die WANT TO DONATE TO NCF SIMPLY SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE CAMERA CONTACT US For more information about local resources support please visit NATE CHUTE FOUNDATION 406 730 2521 AGES 7 10 natechutefoundation org info natechutefoundation org GIVE SHORT TRUE ANSWERS Stay up to date with us on Facebook Instagram It is still important that parents acknowledge that death is sad and the person died of an illness You can name it as depression To avoid overwhelming them with too much information wait for them to ask further questions and then answer those simply and honestly AGES 11 natechutefoundation Office Hours Vary If you are in crisis or need someone to speak to please contact one of the resources listged below RESOURCES BE CONCRETE By middle school kids are beginning to experience complicated emotions and it is important that we ask clear questions about what they ve heard so you can judge where they re at and meet them there Have a conversation with them about the information in this brochure such as the risks that come with a suicide loss and the importance of taking care of themselves Be honest and stick to facts You can utilize this opportunity to discuss if they ve ever had thoughts of suicide or are concerned about a friend NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE Call 1 800 273 8255 TREVOR PROJECT HOTLINE for members of the LGBTQ community YOUTH LINE This line is open 24 7 and answered by trained adolescents from 4 pm 10 pm PST Call 1 866 488 7386 Text 678 678 Call 1 877 968 8491 Text 839863 Text MT to 741 741 CRISIS TEXT LINE DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES with Suicide Loss

Coping with Suicide Loss is COMPLICATED Healthy Healing WAYS TO COPE with Suicide Loss BE PATIENT Know that everyone grieves at their own pace Grief can ebb and flow so you may begin to feel better only for tough emotions to return This is normal and can feel very frustrating TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Taking care of your whole self is important Practice healthy habits connect with things that bring you joy and find positive outlets for your emotions SEEK SUPPORT oping with a loss by suicide whether it be a loved one a friend or someone you only know in passing can be extremely difficult and confusing Suicide is a traumatic event that can trigger a host of complicated and uncomfortable emotions Whether you are surviving a loss or find yourself supporting someone else who is grieving these tools and information may help There is no right or wrong way to feel or act Practice self compassion and try not to judge your own grief journey COMMON EMOTIONS People Feel GUILTISOLATION IRRITABILITY SHOCK SHAME SADNESS ANXIETY REJECTION ANGER CONFUSION RELIEF Counselors can guide you through your grief process so it feels less chaotic or confusing They can support you as you ride the ups and downs of the process that often accompany surviving a loss CONNECT WITH OTHERS You do not have to cope with this alone Find comfort by connecting with others who care Attending a support group or chatting online with other survivors may also be helpful SUICIDE LOSS RESOURCES SUPPORT TAMARACK GRIEF RESOURCES tamarackgrc org info tamarackgrc org 406 261 0724 Kalispell office 406 541 8472 Main Office AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Healing Conversations afsp org healing conversations HCCMontana afsp org ALLIANCE OF HOPE allianceofhope org An online community of suicide loss support resources and connections Please contact the Nate Chute Foundation for more information on local resources and current offerings KNOW THE RISKS eople who are impacted by a suicide loss often struggle with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness Experiencing suicidal ideation following a loss is not unusual and it is important to talk about these thoughts with a friend trusted adult or mental health professional THREE COMMON QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE WONDERING OR OTHERS MAY BE ASKING YOU Is it okay to talk about the details Knowing the answers to questions like was there a suicide note and how did they do it might feel like it will bring closure comfort during this really difficult time We caution however that this information can actually be triggering especially to those who have previously attempted suicide or are experiencing their own ideation Prior to talking about the details with someone ensure you both are comfortable hearing the answers Is this my fault Guilt is the one emotion that seems universal for survivors of suicide People blame themselves for not preventing their loved one s death While suicide can be prevented in some cases it s important to remember that the reason someone ends their life is a culmination of many factors and or events and not the result of your actions or perceived inactions Why did they do this Many survivors of suicide want to know why their loved one chose to end their life The answer is complex and mental health issues are almost always a part of the equation whether the person was being treated for them or not Many suicidal individuals often report ambivalence around dying but see it as the only way to end their suffering