Talking to Kids About Suicide Loss

Losing a loved one to suicide can happen at any age. So, how do we talk to kids about this kind of loss? Join us for an interactive webinar geared toward cultivating tools, language, and a working knowledge of how to help kids process suicide loss and honor their beloved dead. 

Studies show that survivors of suicide loss are at a higher risk of of developing mental health challenges and suicidal behaviors. This is true for those of us who, with age and the developmental understanding of what it means to die by suicide. Imagine being a kid and experiencing suicide loss during some of your most formative years. At any age, surviving suicide loss comes with questions that, perhaps, nobody can answer; it come with guilt and often feelings of shame; and it comes with agonizing “what if’s.” What if I had texted back sooner? What if I had known the signs? What if? What if? What if? These are all a natural part of the grief process for many; however, the fact is, our loved one we lost was sick. 

Kids need a little extra help grappling with suicide loss (as we all do). We want to nurture their understanding with frank honesty while preserving their childhood. We want to help kids honor and memorialize their beloved dead without the risk of romanticizing death by suicide as an appropriate response to their pain and confusion. We want to educate them with resources on prevention and seeking help while destigmatizing suicide loss. Most of all, we want to feel confident and comfortable opening the conversation in a way that feels supportive. 

In this interactive webinar, we will discuss: 

• Statistics around suicide loss as it informs this particular discussion
• Different forms of grief associated with suicide loss and how help kids navigate caring for themselves and others 
• Age appropriate language for talking about suicide loss with kids ages 10 - 18
• Safe and meaningful methods of  memorializing a loved one lost to suicide
• Signs kids show when experiencing thoughts of suicide and tools for prevention

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the discussion as time allows. Our hope is to create a safe virtual gathering where we can learn from each other. 

*Please note: This webinar will be recorded. 

Participants will also receive access to a resource folder with book, podcast, youtube suggestions; as well as the recording from our time together.

We are dedicated to making our training accessible with a limited number of complementary tickets. If you wish to request a complimentary access, please contact Dani S. at dani@liminalshowers.com

About Your Facilitators

Danniele (Dani) Warmuth, MSW, LICSW (she, her, hers) is a Family Focused Therapist at Washburn Center for Children. She is a graduate of the BSW and Theater program at the University of Montana and has a Master of Social Work in Children and Families from the University of Minnesota. Currently, Dani works with children ages 0 to 5 as a clinical social worker, aka a children’s therapist, and their parents, and oftentimes supporting caregivers in supporting young children processing their experiences. She is rostered for child parent psychotherapy - evidence based trauma therapy model for kids ages 0 - 5, crisis work and suicide prevention, individual therapy, and domestic violence work. In her free time she loves to read fantasy books and hang out with her dog Paul, her husband, and baby. 

Danielle (Dani) Sather, MA, MFA, Certified Death Midwife (she, her, hers) is a Certified Death Midwife, educator, artist, and owner of Liminal Showers, LLC. She has an MA in Performance Studies from Texas A&M with a focus on prison theatre, and an MFA in theatre from University of Montana with an emphasis on acting and developing methods for safely and ethically stepping into trauma encompassing roles. She completed both master’s programs anchored in critical race studies and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Following academia, Dani received certification in trauma informed care and communication, death midwifery, and grief coaching as a nonprofit professional in varying fields such as sexual assault advocacy, racial equity, theatre education, and suicide prevention. In her free time, she enjoys romantic fantasy novels, teaching her dog new tricks, and writing spoken word poetry when the mood strikes just right.