I wanted to share an excellent resource; the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. They have a great website and activities, including an “Out of the Darkness Walk” at Jones Beach in October, and “Survivor Day” around Thanksgiving.
I’m not really a “group” anything kind of person. I have no interest in joining a support group, however I did participate (reluctantly) in the “Out of the Darkness Walk” last year and it was a good experience. I met some wonderful people and felt like I was honoring my son’s memory. It was also an eye-opening experience to see how many people were affected by suicide. It helped me to feel less alone and isolated, without having to interact with anyone directly (although I did).
Participants were encouraged to wear different colored bead necklaces (which were supplied) to represent your relationship to the person who committed suicide (red for a friend, green for a child, etc.). It was a good idea, because without saying a word, you knew if someone had lost a spouse, child, etc. and it provided an easy way to connect with people. I know it made me more comfortable about talking to others on the walk.
Another worthwhile event was “Survivor Day.” This event included seminars about the grief process and a group sharing session based on your relationship to the deceased. I have to say it was difficult for me to relate to the other mothers in the group, I was going through a very different grief process from them. There was one woman I connected with who seemed to be of the same mindset as me, but mostly it just confirmed that I wouldn’t be interested in participating in a support group. Still, Survivor Day was an experience that helped me to progress through the grief process.
I highly recommend the organization, and the site is full of helpful information and resources.
Check it out! www.afsp.org