By Megan Griffin
*content warning: suicide*
1. When a person loses a loved one to suicide, who will be there for them?
a. Family experiencing the same loss
b. Childhood friends
c. Past teachers
d. The ones they least expected
2. Define “the easy way out.”
3. Which term best describes the feeling when a person realizes they will never see their loved one again?
a. Persistent denial
b. Sucker punch
c. Confusing anger
d. Limbless
4. Define “resilient.”
5. How many casseroles will be dropped off at their house by people with knowing looks of sorrow?
a. Too many
b. One for every person that has no idea how to help
c. A dozen in the first week
d. None in the fifth week
6. What is the best statement religious acquaintances deliver as words of comfort?
a. “May God be with you in these troubling times.”
b. “Always remember, God grant me the serenity…”
c. “God has a plan for your life. This is just a bump in the road.”
d. “They’re in a better place, home with God. Nothing can hurt them now.”
7. What does the person do when people make jokes about suicide?
a. Wince inside, stay silent
b. Politely walk away
c. Keep scrolling, there’s no mental energy left to combat that today
d. Screams, cries, and educates
8. Define “trauma.”
9. Define “survivor.”
10. What does the person say when people ask, “Oh no. How did they pass?”
a. “They killed themselves.”
b. Smiles uncomfortably, “I’d rather not say.”
c. “They died by suicide.”
d. “The epidemic of depression, anxiety, and despair.”
11. How does the person celebrate holidays?
a. Begrudgingly
b. Joyfully
c. Reluctantly
d. Puts on a fake smile, as they glance at the empty chair next to them, then passes the turkey
12. How does the person remember their loved one on the anniversary of their death?
a. Cries on the couch, scrolling on social media flooded with joyful yet painful pictures
b. Orders a cheeseburger sub and takes a walk by the beach
c. Visits the snow-covered cemetery, holds in the tears until they walk away from the shining dark-green headstone
d. All the above
13. When do they stop thinking about their loved one?
a. In fleeting moments of joy
b. While engrossed in an intense movie
c. On a road trip to Canada
d. Never
***
If you are concerned about someone you know or if you yourself fear you might harm yourself, please seek help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (Espanol: 1-888-628-9454); deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741