Join Warriors for Life (WFL) & Kirk TONIGHT for "Military Mom - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention"
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Come join Volunteer, Peer Support Specialist Kirk Poe for "Awaken Your Inner Healer!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).
We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support Victory for Veterans provides via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.
TONIGHT's Topic: "Military Mom - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention"
Join Kirk and friends TONIGHT for a discussion about "Military Mom - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention" Everyone is welcome!
The suicide of a child has a profound and long-lasting impact on mothers, triggering a uniquely intense and complex grief that includes heightened shock, guilt, shame, and anger. Research shows that mothers often grieve more intensely and for longer periods than fathers, experiencing severe emotional, psychological, and even physical consequences.
Psychological and emotional effects
Intense shock and disbelief: Many mothers report a deep sense of shock, especially if they were unaware of their child's suicidal thoughts or mental health struggles. They may replay events, looking for missed warnings, and feel a deep sense of disbelief that it could happen to their family.
Overwhelming guilt: Mothers often experience an extreme and persistent sense of guilt and self-blame, repeating "what if" or "if only" scenarios in their minds. They may question their own role, feel they failed as a protector, or wonder if their love was not enough to save their child. This guilt can be more severe in suicide bereavement than in other types of loss.
Shame and stigma: The stigma surrounding suicide can cause a mother to feel shame and isolation. Some may feel judged by others, become reluctant to talk openly about the cause of death, or struggle with how to interact socially after the loss.
Anger: Feelings of anger are common and may be directed at the deceased child for abandoning the family, at oneself for not seeing the signs, or at others perceived as unhelpful.
Complicated grief: Suicide loss puts mothers at a higher risk of developing complicated grief, where intense and prolonged feelings hinder the healing process for six months or longer.
Mental health issues: The risk for mental health disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is significantly higher for mothers who have lost a child to suicide. Some may also have recurring suicidal thoughts.
Mixed feelings: Mothers may experience conflicting emotions, such as guilt alongside a sense of relief if their child had suffered from a long-term, severe mental illness. This mix of emotions highlights the unique complexity of suicide grief.
Social and family dynamics
Marital strain: A child's suicide can create strain on the parents' relationship. Differences in coping styles—with mothers often expressing grief more openly and intensely—can lead to communication breakdowns and marital distress for years after the loss.
Effects on remaining children: Mothers often feel excessive concern and anxiety for their surviving children, sometimes leading to role reversals within the family. The desire to protect their other children can be a motivating factor for a mother's own recovery.
Social withdrawal: Some mothers feel that others cannot understand their specific experience and may withdraw from friends or social events. However, connecting with other parents who have experienced a similar loss can be a critical part of the healing process.
The path toward healing
While the grief never fully disappears, the intensity fades over time. Healing often involves a conscious choice to move forward with life and can include:
Finding meaning and purpose after the tragedy.
Honoring the child's memory in a meaningful way.
Taking on new hobbies or activities.
Seeking support from counselors, therapists, or support groups.
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Awaken Your Inner Healer!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) - Monday (TONIGHT), October 20, 2025 @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86121340012
Thank you,
Kirk Poe, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Reiki Master, Certified Body/Emotion/Belief Code Practitioner, & Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)
Comments