PATHWAYS TO PURPOSE & HOPE
Brought to you by Friends for Survival, this is a guide for creating a sustainable grief support organization for families and friends after a suicide death.
Pathways to Purpose and Hope was created to give communities the tools to mount an effective and sustainable response. These guidelines are based on a program designed by 50 survivors over a period of 30 years to provide multiple services to meet the complex needs of survivors in the aftermath of suicide. This guide offers a detailed discussion of the process for creating and sustaining a suicide bereavement support program that is effective, community based and supported by professional resources in the local area.
Creating Pathways to Purpose and Hope was the joint effort of many writers and support group practitioners who have extensive practical experience in accomplishing what they have written about. Their many years of caring for survivors demonstrate the need and purpose for this program. Many others across the country have blazed a path for us and it is our hope that you, the reader, will be able to use this guide to launch and sustain programs that offer comfort, compassion, encouragement and education to the survivor community.
Call our office if you have questions at 916-392-0664. Download your free copy of Pathways below:
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND LINKS
Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors
Created by survivors for survivors, providing online healing support and other services for people who are coping with devastating loss to suicide. Their online forum operates like a 24/7 support group. Their website contains support resources and information on the survivor experience.
American Association of Suicidogy (AAS)
Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.
Tragedy Asstance Program for Survivors
Offering compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.
The Compassionate Friends
Supporting families after a child dies. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
The Dougy Center
The Dougy Center - The National Center for Grieving Children & Families provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences.
LOSSteam Postvention Workshops & Training
Campbell & Associates, instruction in the active postvention model of survivor outreach.
Dr. Edwin Shneidman’s concept of "postvention as prevention” has governed Dr. Frank Campbell’s work with suicide survivors since 1986. Dr. Campbell envisioned a “LOSS Team”, a team of trained survivors who would go to the scenes of suicides to disseminate information about resources and be the installation of hope for the newly bereaved.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
SAVE's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.
SAVE was one of the nation’s first organizations dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Our work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we know we can SAVE lives.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
SPRC is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
SPRC advances suicide prevention infrastructure and capacity building through:
Consultation, training, and resources to enhance suicide prevention efforts in states, Native settings, colleges, health systems, and organizations that serve populations at risk for suicide.
Staffing, administrative, and logistical support to the Secretariat of the Nat'l Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.