It is often said those who are left behind after a suicide suffer the most from the tragedy. If you've lost a loved one to suicide, support groups can help you cope during this emotional time.
Suicide Support Groups Online Through Social Media
You can find several online suicide support groups on social media. A few of those include survivors of loss and support, suicide grief support, and grieving parents, friends, and family.
Twitter Suicide Support Groups
Twitter doesn't offer a private platform for suicide support groups. However, Peer Support for Suicide Loss states that it offers support to those suffering and grieving from suicide loss through Twitter DMs (Direct Messages).
Facebook Suicide Survivors Loss & Support Group
The private group on Facebook, Facebook Suicide Survivors Loss & Support, is strictly for suicide survivors. Facebook requires potential members to answer several questions before permission is granted for you to join the group.
Suicide Grief Support Group on Facebook
Suicide Grief Support is a support group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. The group mission statement reads, "Our goal is to help you through the hard times and to let you know you are not alone."
Facebook Grieving Parents, Friends, and Family of Suicide
Grieving Parents, Friends, and Family of Suicide is a Facebook group that is monitored 24/7. However, none of the moderators are trade professionals.
TCF-Loss to Suicide on Facebook
TCF-Loss to Suicide is a group for parents, siblings and grandparents who have survived loss due to suicide. As with most SOS groups on Facebook, you are required to answer three questions before you are approved to join the group.
Facebook Surviving Spouses of Suicide Support Group
Surviving Spouses of Suicide Support Group is a support group of spouses who have specifically lost a bipolar spouse to suicide. The bipolar disorder spouse makes this group unique to other suicide loss support groups.
Facebook Suicide Survivors (LOSS) & Drug Overdose (LOSS) Support Group
Suicide Survivors (LOSS) & Drug Overdose (LOSS) Support Group requires you answer a few questions. If you don't answer the questions, you won't be approved to join the group.
Online Suicide Support Groups
If you're not ready to talk about your grief in-person or can't find a group nearby. You can also find online support communities in addition to social media where you can chat with others as much or as little as you'd like. This type of format isn't as popular with the advent of social media, specifically Facebook groups. However, you may find a few support websites that still offer a forum format for specific subjects.
Alliance of Hope
As a charitable nonprofit, Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors is dedicated to providing support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. National organizations such as the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) recommends the Alliance as a valuable online support group. Simply join their forums to start sharing, learning, and healing with others like you. The forums are organized by topic so you can easily find a thread that speaks to your current status. There you'll find others talking about one particular aspect of the healing process. There are currently over 13,000 members using the forums.
Grieving
Founded in 1997, Grieving offers an online forum that encompasses all types of grief from loss. You must sign up to particpate in the discussions. access to the private section of the website.
Friends for Survival
Founded in 1983 by two mothers who lost their sons to suicide, Friends for Survival offers a wide range of support for suicide loss survivors. You can participate in one of the organization's webinars.
Sibling Survivors
Sibling Survivors was created so anyone who has lost a sibling to suicide can post on the website. Volunteers for the Parents of Suicides (POS) and Friends and Families of Suicides (FFOS) Internet Community maintain the website.
In-Person Support Groups
Those who prefer regularly scheduled meetings and a group of familiar faces can join these national organization's regular meetings. In-person support groups take place anywhere from once a month to once a week.
HEARTBEAT
HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide Inc. started in 1980 as one of the first support groups available for those grieving suicide loss. Today the group features 19 HEARTBEAT chapters across the country in Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont. Click on the "Chapter Directory" link on the website to find contact information for the chapter closest to you.
This peer support group offers empathy, encouragement, and hope to those grieving the loss of a loved one from suicide. Each meeting is staffed by volunteers who have worked through some of their own grief and meet anywhere from one to three times per month. There is no cost to attend the meetings, but donations are accepted.
Hospice Suicide Bereavement Support Groups
Organizations that provide Hospice care to those near the end of life also provide support groups for a variety of grieving individuals. The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care out of Cheektowaga, NY offers a free monthly suicide bereavement group. In Modesto, CA Community Hospice hosts free, ongoing meetings for survivors of a sudden loss or suicide loss. Check with your local Hospice care organization to see if they offer similar groups.
Suicidology Organization
Suicidology Organization provides a directory of support groups. This listing includes suicide loss survivors and attempted survivors of loss. You can particpate in scheduled
How to Find a Group
To find a local group, check with hospitals, churches, and nonprofit suicide awareness organizations near you. Several suicide prevention and support organizations offer searchable databases to help you locate a support group.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers a comprehensive search tool to help you locate online support groups and meetings in the U.S. and other countries.
- Check listings on the Support Group Map presented by Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) where you'll find contact information and locations for groups around the country.
Healing Through Sharing
Losing a loved one to suicide presents a unique type of grief. Build a strong support system to help you endure the pain by joining a peer or professional support group for people in similar circumstances.
