The Importance of Empathy in Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors.

Empathy is the ability to understand what someone else is going through by imagining yourself in that person’s situation and putting yourself in their shoes. Empathy is expressed when an empathizer mimics the emotions of another in a way that allows them to ‘experience’ it similarly and hence can understand what another is feeling based on precedented rules on how one should think or feel in certain circumstances.

Empathy is crucial when talking to suicide loss survivors as it helps one have full listening and understanding skills. Since suicide is considered taboo in many communities, empathy works to lessen its harshness by showcasing patterns of understanding. It does this through encouraging open and honest conversations surrounding suicide loss and the underlying issues that lead to suicide. Therefore, empathy works against the stigma surrounding suicide and negative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-blame, fostering a sense of belonging.

Practicing empathy reduces the risk of suicide loss survivors isolating themselves. People handle losses differently, but suicide loss survivors’ coping mechanisms sometimes tend to be self-destructive. Isolation is one of the self-destructive ways that hold back survivors from grieving healthily. Loss creates the misconception that only those directly affected know the extent of grief they’re going through. This causes survivors to withdraw from society because they are convinced that others don’t understand or expect them to get over their loss quickly. When a survivor knows that their loss is acknowledged and people are trying to understand the depth of their emotions, they stop retreating away from society. Having people to depend on who seek to make you better makes life worth living and tolerable, even if survivors have a long healing process in front of them.

When someone we care about experiences a suicide loss or any other loss, it is natural to struggle to find the best ways to help them. Suicide survivors can easily recognize the difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy would push them away, while empathy would bring them closer. Therefore, we should support suicide loss survivors from a point of understanding rather than pity, reminding them that the burden of healing from the loss is not solely on them. We will be with them. Finally, developing empathy is a life-long process unique to every individual and varies with situations; remember to allow yourself grace to make mistakes and learn from them.

By Jeanine Omondi

Edited By : Favor Khaoya