- You have the right to ask the questions you need to ask.
- You have the right to comfort and understanding.
- You have the right to lessen your sense of self-blame.
- You have a right to self-forgiveness.
- You have a right to "get through this" (even if you believe you'll never get through this).
- You have a right to feel and express anger toward the deceased for robbing you of understanding "why."
- You have a right to grieve as you need in the timeframe you need.
- You have a right to ignore others' timeframe of an acceptable mourning period for you.
- You have a right to be alive.
- You have a right to peace and calm in your spirit, mind, and heart again.
- 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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