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This month we recognize International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday, November 23. The United States Congress designated the Saturday before Thanksgiving as International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. On this day, those affected by suicide join together for healing and support. Local and virtual events are offered to help survivors cope with the tragedy of losing someone to suicide.
Keep reading to learn more about the impact of suicide loss and find ways to support suicide loss survivors.
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What is Suicide Postvention?
While most people are familiar with the concept of suicide prevention, fewer may know the term suicide postvention and what it means. Suicide postvention refers to the support services offered to those impacted by a suicide loss. Postvention is critical to promote healing after suicide and reduces suicide risk for suicide loss survivors.
Suicide Postvention; Sarra Nazem, PhD; August 2020
Recommendations for Postvention Processing Sessions; Suzanne McGarity, PhD & Christie Machan, LCSW; March 2022
Suicide Grief: Reducing Suicide Risk by Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors; Erin Higgins, LCSW, LAC; April 2024
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Suicide loss survivors often find it challenging to cope with this tragic loss and may be unsure of what to do next. Engaging in postvention services, connecting with other loss survivors, and accessing resources may be particularly helpful to survivors as they grieve and begin healing. Suicide loss survivors do not have to walk their road alone.
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AFSP sponsors in-person events across the globe for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. They also host two virtual events for survivors of suicide loss, Survivor Day Live and Día De Esperanza. Find more information here.
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Find Support
Vet Centers
Vet Centers offer bereavement counseling to family members of Veterans and service members who die by suicide. Find your nearest Vet Center here.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
TAPS provides special resources and programming for suicide loss survivors. Explore these resources here.
Local VA Resources
Connect with local VA resources and find your nearest VA facilities here.
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