I am not a therapist. But I was a case manager at a detox/psychiatric facility. Anyways, we had this patient that frequented there several times throughout a period of a few months. Anyways, early in the morning he went to the bathroom and hung himself while at the facility. It's always sad. And I am sure everyone is different but it was more of shock in a sense because he was a staff favorite, was always talking and joking with us so it was unexpected. So it was more of a "did I do everything I could" reaction. Not a regular emotional reaction like you would if it was someone close to you.

I now do counseling at a psychiatric hospital. And we are constantly hearing about patients who have committed suicide (not at the facility in the community) and you aren't numb to it, but it is fairly common. It's a field where you learn to not let it impact you emotionally. If I did, I would never be able to continue to go to work or be happy myself. I'm sure my experience is different compared to a therapist who has a case load because they consistently see their clients. Whereas I only see people for up to a couple weeks and they discharge. However, it is a revolving door and well over half of the people I see are people I have seen numerous times.