Support Group Meetings

Welcome to our Suicide Loss Peer Support Group. We are deeply sorry for the losses that have brought each of us here. If this is your first time joining us or if you are returning, please know that we welcome you with open arms, compassion, and empathy.

In a few moments, we will break into smaller groups where we will:

• Introduce ourselves by sharing our names and who we lost — their name, your relationship to them, and when they passed. We also invite you to share a photo of your person within your small group if you feel comfortable.
• Talk about how you are experiencing your grief today or share what is on your heart and mind in relation to your loss.

At the end of our time together, we will invite you to share a takeaway from today’s meeting — perhaps something that brought you comfort or a positive thought to carry with you.

Guidelines for Our Group:

• This is a peer support group, and the value of our time together comes from each person’s willingness to participate. We encourage everyone to share, but we also understand that there may be moments when you are not ready to speak. It is always okay to pass.
• We acknowledge that each of us has lost someone to suicide and that we are all at different stages in our grief journey. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Your experience is uniquely yours, and it is valid.
• While sharing, we ask that you refrain from discussing specific methods of death. If you need to speak about those specifics, please reach out to our office for one-on-one support.
• To foster a sense of connection and safety, we ask that everyone appears on camera during breakout rooms. We are here to support one another, and seeing each other’s faces helps create a sense of presence and community.
• Please give yourself the gift of this time. Set aside distractions and be fully present with us. 
• Share openly, listen deeply, and support one another as you feel comfortable. Allow space for each person to speak and try to avoid interrupting or dominating the conversation.
• We respect all spiritual, religious, and cultural beliefs while endorsing none. Each perspective is welcomed and honored.
• What is shared in the group is confidential. We ask that everyone respect the privacy and trust of fellow group members.

IN CLOSING: Please remember to take care for yourself today. Grief can be exhausting, so take time to hydrate, eat — even just a little — and rest. Be gentle with yourself. Tomorrow, you will be receiving an email from us that contains a survey. Please complete the survey and let us know what we are doing well, and how we might serve you better. Also, keep in mind that the meeting “doors” close 15 minutes after the meeting start time. Thank you for being here, for trusting us with your heart, and for allowing us to walk alongside you in your grief. We hope to see you again at another meeting.