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Fragile
The word fragile when it comes to human emotions can conjure up images of weakness, but we don’t think that’s right! Letting someone know that you’re feeling fragile can help them support you. Or just identifying that within yourself could mean that you decide to enact more self-care or a duvet day instead of powering forward. Think about yourself like a fragile package you’re shipping through your grief journey, sometimes you need to put the red FRAGILE tape on, or put another layer of bubble wrap around, you want to come out in one piece at the end!
Friendships
We all know the power of friendships, but times our grief can put friendships under pressure when you need them the most. If you’re supporting a friend remember this is a marathon not a sprint and the longevity and consistency of your support will mean the most. If you’re being supported by a friend, remember to show gratitude and consciously make an effort to give back when the time feels right. If you’ve lost a friend to suicide it can throw up a load of questions around the meaning of friendship to you, these are all normal feelings and are the same as if it was a family member, talk with your other friends to see if they’re feeling the same.
Family
Just like friendships, your family can be such an important part of your support package through grief. One dynamic that can be challenging if you’ve lost a family member is grieving with your family but balancing each other’s grief and the ways you’re processing it. Especially with suicide because of the stigma different generations can react in different ways which can feel isolating. Family relationships can take work at the best of times so in the toughest moments don’t forget to nurture and work on these relationships.