After a
disaster or
loss of a loved one it is common for the survior to feel guilty for what they could have done or just because they are still
alive. This being said, Survivor's Guilt does manifests itself in different ways for different people. Some people have a
delusional reaction and believe
God has chosen them to survive or that they now have new vision of life.
In the case of the depressed and guilty it's best not to tell the person suffering from this guilt that they were "lucky" they are okay. Better to allow them to feel bad and let them know you are there for them. If possible make sure the person is eating properly and try and get them to particapate in physical activity, as these two factors directly affect mental health. In the extreme cases some people, like survivors of war, may feel suicidal and direct intervention would be required.