Support groups

Bereaved by Suicide Support Groups

Bereavement by Suicide Support Groups provide a safe place where survivors can share experiences and support each other on the journey toward healing. Although support groups are not for everyone, many people have found them to be a vital part of their healing process. Most groups are led by volunteer survivors and diversity of group members vary.

How support groups can be beneficial

• Verbalizing thoughts and emotions helps to connect people with their feelings (no matter how “crazy” those feelings seem).
• A forum is provided for airing grief and seeking direction and support.
• Members have the opportunity to become friends with people who have suffered similar losses.
• It is a relief to learn that we are not going crazy, we are just grieving. These feelings, no matter what they are, are normal. It may be the only place where survivors feel understood. There, true feelings of anger and/or guilt can be expressed without judgment.
• It helps to realize that no one is alone in grief.
• There is a sense of doing something positive about grief. Grief can’t be ignored.
• This is a place to meet people who truly care about you. Everyone needs hugs and a support group is a good place to get them.
• Other people in the group provide assurances that they too have faced similar grief experiences and yet survived.
• Being able to speak to others about problems without encountering rejection reinforces feelings of self-worth. The process of learning to be of help to another person can develop self-esteem and self-confidence.