1. You have the right to ask the questions you need to ask.
   
2. You have the right to comfort and understanding.
   
3. You have the right to lessen your sense of self-blame.
   
4. You have a right to self-forgiveness.
   
5. You have a right to "get through this" (even if you believe you'll never get through this).
6. You have a right to feel and express anger toward the deceased for robbing you of understanding "why."
   
7. You have a right to grieve as you need in the timeframe you need.
   
8. You have a right to ignore others' timeframe of an acceptable mourning period for you.
   
9. You have a right to be alive.
   
10. You have a right to peace and calm in your spirit, mind, and heart again.
11. You have a right to embrace life again, to laugh and sing, and cry, and hold memories dear once more.
    

By P.J. Alexander, LCSW
Facilitator
Suicide Grievers Support Group
Knoxville, Tennessee

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