National Survivors of Suicide Day

[Matnet4]

Hi everyone,
just wanted to remind any who don't know that Saturday, November 20th is "National Survivors of Suicide Day."
It's always the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year. I'd forgotten all about it until I got a call from the
man who facilitates the SOS group we go to. He told us about a workshop that will be held that day at
a local community college......the workshop will have something for everyone specifically: Moms, Dads, siblings, etc.
Ours will be about 4 hours and include lunch. He told me there's usually a cost of $35 per person or $50 per
family, but they're waiving that fee this year because the local "Out of Darkness" walk raised a decent amount
of $$ and they're putting it towards this workshop. You can all check to see if there will be anything like this
in your area by visiting the website: www.afsp.org and clicking on the link that says "National Survivors of Suicide Day."
My husband, daughter and my son's girlfriend have all agreed to go, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Kim H]

Thank you Nancy. I am still deciding if I will go to the one in Orlando. It's only 10 minutes from my house. I am afraid it will just be me. I went to a suicide survivors group at the same church after my dad died and I was the only one in the group. I am so afraid of how it will make me feel. I am not used to being afraid of my feelings.

Thanks for the information!

Kim

[Matnet4]

I hear you Kim.......I can't imagine you being the only one if they're going ahead and having the event.
I'm sorry you were the only one in that meeting. Maybe it was a day where others just didn't go. We
haven't been to an SOS meeting in a few months, but unfortunately it seemed that every month there
were plenty of new people. You're welcome for the info...we plan to go and hope it helps in some way.
(((HUGS)))

[booboolewis]

Hi, Matnet...

Are you going to the one in Lincroft, NJ.....I received a flyer about it in the mail b/c I was going to SOS meetings in NJ at the time when I lived with my parents....I called our local office this morn and was e-mailed a registration form....I will be glad to finally meet people in the area b/c I haven't been able to attend any of the local SOS meetings for various meetings..it stinks b/c, if you can't make it that one night that month, you have to wait another whole month for the next meeting....

[Matnet4]

Yes Booboo, we are attending that one!! Hope to see you there.

[Matnet4]

I just wanted to let everyone know that we attended the National Survivors of Suicide Day and it was really nice.
Of course NONE of us wants to be there, but I think it was really helpful. The day started w/ coffee/bagels and the welcoming
announcements. Then we all watched a video (which is shown at all of these events, and can be accessed online--check www.afsp.org for
how to go about seeing it) The video consisted of 5 survivors discussing their losses, what's worked for them, what's been helpful/not helpful.
Then towards the end of their one hour discussion a Dr. joined the group who's a Director of Psychiatry and who's researched suicide for many
years. His comments were very helpful in my opinion. One of the 1st things he said was, "grief doesn't end. The severity of the pain does
lessen over time, but grief itself doesn't end. The pain and loss are always a part of us." I felt that was very validating....After the video,
lunch was served; then everyone broke up into smaller groups for specific workshops for spouses, siblings, Moms, Dads, etc. All in all the
day was good, and I'm really glad we went. It was worth the effort--it felt good to be surrounded by so much support, and so many people
who KNOW this pain. If you weren't able to attend this year, consider it for next year: it's always the Saturday before Thanksgiving.