So sorry to read this, GG

I feel so much for your friend and their family going through this. It is an absolutely soul-crushing loss. Your friend is likely still in shock, and your support will be especially important once that shock is over and the initial wave of attention ebbs. In the coming months, reach out to your friend to get together and offer to sit with them. Only in the last year—the third since my nephew John’s suicide—has my sibling opened up about his death.

To echo one of the posts below, write down memories of your friend’s son and share them with your friend. One of the kindest things one of my late nephew John’s close friends did for me was to share a couple of videos John sent to him. John liked to record funny videos, often with himself in them, and one of the two his friend sent me was particularly poignant. I’ve rewatched that one many times along with others John sent to me. Just seeing and hearing John again has been a huge comfort. I also put my videos and photos of John on thumb drives to give to his parents. I’m not sure if they’ve even watched them yet, but I know they’re grateful to have them.

If your friend is in the DC area, Haven of Northern Virginia (linked below) runs both in-person and online support groups for people who have lost someone to suicide. There are others throughout the country which can be found through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website. I can only speak from my experience with Haven, but talking with others who have experienced suicide loss and the feelings that come with it has been tremendously comforting. There are also groups such as the Compassionate Friends for parents who have lost a child and a Christian one that my sib and spouse attend called Our Hearts Are Home.

The responses below are excellent. I hope these additonal suggestions might be helpful down the line. For now, be a good friend to them and follow their lead as far as listening or being left alone. I’ll keep you, your friends, and their family in my prayers. Condolences to you all.

Click here for link at https://www.havenofnova.org/