Quickly I know I haven't been here for a millennia. I don't want to spend too much time on that though.

...

How many of you have actually been affected by someone's suicide?

Recently, I have. A really close friend of mine passed away one Monday night. I didn't even find out until the next day, I was called down to the guidance counsellor's office after my first period in school and they told me the news. I couldn't help myself and I just started crying. I was so upset, I had to get pick up from school, I just couldn't handle it. This weekend, I went to her viewing, if you don't know, the viewing is where you get to see the person. Obviously I cried again, she looked like she was sleeping, and that she would wake up anytime soon. Of course, she didn't. I was horrified because I didn't know how she did it until I saw her, the bruises around her neck made me ill. The next day was her funeral. Her mother was obviously the most affected, she is a single mom, and my friend was an only child.

I wanted to make this to help people cope with a loss. I only have a few tips, and of course, these won't help with everybody.

The first is to talk to people. I didn't know I had so many people until that faithful day. There are so many people around you who are willing to listen. If you feel like you bother them or annoy them, don't feel nervous to ask them, "I don't annoy you, do I?" If they say "no" then continue. Even if they lie and say "no" they are still there with you, listening. Somewhere deep inside, they are there for you, even if they, themselves don't know it.

Next is to get proper closure. For me, it was seeing her and the way she died. It's painful because we are both just sixteen years old. For some people, it could be keeping one of their personal belongings, or visiting a vacation spot they enjoyed. If you don't know what your chance for closure is, then I recommend taking all the chances. If, for example, travelling the world is something they would have wanted, then maybe you could work up to being able to do it, getting closure doesn't have to be a right away thing.

Another one is letting it all out. Don't be afraid to cry, sob, scream, whatever it takes. It could be at someone (Someone who knows what is going on and you wouldn't hurt them by screaming in their face), or alone in your room, into your pillow. This lets go of pent up anger, stress, and possibly sadness. Some people might be more hands on. Get a stress ball, go out in the open and smash things, whatever it takes.

The last is cherishing what you have. People don't lie when they say, you don't know what you have until it's gone. After one, it's best to begin making memories, and really cherishing the moments you have with people now. You never know when they will be gone. Enjoy your life with them. Even for those who are anti social, I dare you to go out for a little bit, even for just a walk in the park.

And when it's all over and done with, forgive, but not forget. You will feel many emotions; anger, fear, betrayal, sadness, angst, and maybe even a little apathetic. People try to forget things like this using alcohol and drugs, but if you're trying to forget, that's not the best thing to do. In my opinion, things like this should not be forgotten. You can forgive, and get over what happened, but things like deaths can be life changing, as they should be. They change people in a way nothing else could, they teach lessons like no other. Unfortunately,  sometimes, there isn't a easier way to be taught. Somethings have to be learned the hard way, whether we like it, or not. And definitely do not result to alcohol and drugs to help you, they will only result in worst outcomes.