The death of a loved one is the most difficult life event that many children ever experience. A death due to suicide can be especially hard to face. Parents and caregivers may feel overwhelmed as they try to decide what to tell their children about a suicide death while struggling with their own grief over how the person died.

As a caregiver, your job is not to completely take away your child’s pain. Grief is a naturally painful experience and a reflection of the child’s love for the person who died. Instead, your role is to help your child to share whatever thoughts or feelings they may have and to feel understood and safe in doing so.

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, and in that spirit, here are five tips to help caregivers speak to children about a suicide death and to help them grieve in normal and healthy ways.

Although caregivers may believe they are protecting their children by hiding the fact that a loved one died by suicide, doing so may lead to more problems down the road. For example, children can become even more upset, worried, or angry if they are left to guess or imagine how the person died. Children may........

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