International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day 11/18
Hey 7 Cups Family,
I want to take a moment today to acknowledge and talk about International Survivors of Suicide Day. International Survivors of Suicide Day (or Survivor Day) recognizes friends and family members who have lost a loved one to suicide. It's important for me to touch on my own connection to this day. Many of you don't know that my father died by suicide less than a year ago. As someone who works in the mental health field, has worked on crisis and suicide hotlines and who has personal mental health experience, it was still a big shock and something I never expected. I believe that adding our voices and our stories helps to open the conversation and let others know that they are not alone.
What do I mean by Survivors of Suicide?
- Survivors of suicide are family members and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide. This is different from Attempt Survivors who have personally attempted suicide in the past.
What resources are available for survivors of suicide? (*US resources. Please add resources in other countries to this thread!*)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds events around the country on this day. They are also hosting a 90 minute online program today that includes personal stories and discussion on coping and healing after the loss of a loved one.
- NAMI Family Support Groups, NAMI Family to Family Education Course and NAMI Homefront for families of Veterans. These programs are free and fun through NAMI Affiliates throughout the country.
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available for family and friends to call. You can talk through your own feelings or talk through warning signs if you suspect someone you know may be thinking about suicide. They are available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.
- Survivors of Suicide website has a directory of in-person support groups and other resources for family and friends.
Know of other US resources or resources for survivors of suicide in other countries? Please add below. Let's take a moment to recognize today and keep the conversation going here on 7 Cups.
I do apologize for the event of your fathers suicide,I myself have lost a very good friend of mine to suicide,thank you for sharing this with us.
@Kate
Oops!
I was going to say I am sorry for your loss <3 Thank you for sharing with the community!
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@Kate
I'm sorry for your loss. Much love <3
@Kate I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm here for you, even if all you need from me is just a presence.
Thank you for talking to us about this topic, which is of great importance.
About the resources and hotlines for other countries, how about putting them all together in a spreadsheet and linking it to the original post? It would make it easier for everyone to find the resources.
@Kate
I am sorry for your father's passing and may he find happiness and peace when he couldn't find it in the world. There must be enormous pain both for you and your other family members when dealing with this. Thanks for sharing those information.
@Kate I'm sorry for your loss, Kate. I don't have many words I can say, but that I'm here if you need - and that I'm glad you're shedding light on such an important topic!
Keeping everyone that has experienced this type of loss, in my thoughts 
@Kate I am so sorry to hear about your loss! I know what it feels like, it feels like as you are trained enough, you should notice the signs but the truth is that it's usually pretty hard to notice when it's happening in your close family or circle. I am also volunteer in national suicide hotline and my friend tried to kill herself, luckily she is alive but yeah, I didn't notice that and it was hard to understand that I could skip it, but it's not your fault. You know it pretty well that people can't be helped if they don't ask us to help and sometimes these things can be hidden pretty well
As for Lithuania, we have Suicide Survivors groups that can be found artimiems.lt and we also have this book called no name that contains the stories from the relatives that were affected by suicide. It's very emotional and touching
@Kate sorry to hear about this loss. it can be extremely painful and as you said, a shocking incident. thank you for sharing this with us and trusting us. and thanks for sharing these resources. they will be very helpful for a lot of people here.
-silent-
@Kate I am surprised too every time I hear of someone leaving us. My heart reaches out to you with your courage to share this difficult memory. (hugs))
I too often read or hear about people that lose someone to suicide. It is so sad to hear because it is such a desperate choice that it leaves us wondering what could have been done if only someone knew.
((hugs)) to everyone who has been touched by this kind of loss that is so hard to reconcile.
