Suicide Survivor Support Groups

For many years, the mental health community has focused on suicide prevention and why people have taken their lives.  Little has been studied about those who survive the suicide of a loved one.  Those who have gone through the traumatic loss of a loved one know full well how debilitating, isolating and life-changing the experience can be. 

Suicide survivors share a singular bond.  Although each of our situations is unique, we tend to experience similar feelings, emotions, questions and stages of grief.  Because suicide grief is so different than grief experienced from other types of death, many survivors value the understanding available at suicide survivor support groups.  These groups often provide an opportunity to meet other survivors who are further along in their grief journey and who provide hope for the newly bereaved.  Some survivors seek out the support of a group immediately, while others may wait years to go. You may find that it takes a few meetings to feel comfortable or that a particular group is not right for you.  Support groups provide a good opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances, often resulting in life-long friendships.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention maintains a list of support groups in each state.  To access the list click below:  FIND A SUPPORT GROUP