Survivors of Suicide Loss Homepage




"There are always two parties to a death; 
the person who dies and the survivors who are bereaved." ~ Arnold Toynbee


Who Are We?

We are a group of survivors who have lost loved ones to suicide.  We are spouses, siblings, parents, children, partners, friends, family, coworkers, etc...who have all lost someone to suicide.  
We range from people who have lost a loved one in the past month, to people who have lost a loved one many years ago.  The grief of losing a loved one to suicide is an intense feeling that is often hard to describe to someone that has not survived a suicide.  

No one should have to experience the death of a loved one to suicide, but we have.  
You are not alone.
 

Are You A “Survivor of Suicide Loss”?

To quote the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: "We use this expression to refer to the family and friends left behind after someone dies by suicide. Survivors are the ones left to pick up the broken pieces and find a way to move forward through grief and emptiness. Survivors are some of the strongest people we know. If you have survived a suicide loss, we are here to help.

If you’ve lost someone to suicide, you may feel . . . 

. . . alone, as though no one understands what you’re going through. 

. . . shocked, even if you knew your loved one was at risk. You may find yourself replaying their last days over and over, searching for clues.

. . . responsible, wondering whether there was something you missed, or something you could have said or done, or wished you hadn’t said or done.

. . . angry, at whoever you believe is to blame: the doctor, therapist, spouse, boss, or principal, for example.

. . . abandoned by the person who died.

. . . ashamed and worried about whether to tell people the truth, for fear of being judged.

. . . guilty for laughing, having fun, or beginning to enjoy life again.

. . . relieved.

Don’t worry. It is normal to have some, all, or none of these feelings as you cope with suicide loss."

 

We Host Suicide Support Meetings That You Should Join

The Suicide Support Group meeting at the Grace Episcopal Church has been continuously running for 20+ years and new members are always joining us.   The group participants are constantly changing based on survivors needs.  The mix of people who attend varies from meeting to meeting, we generally welcome many new survivors at most meetings.  The meetings are open to all survivors to attend and there are no fees.  Because of our central location, most people who attend come from Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties, but all are welcome.  
 
The meetings are not faith based and the Grace Episcopal Church has graciously allowed us to use their facilities for many years.

For more detailed information about attending a suicide support group meeting click here.  You are not alone, please join us.
 

With Help, Comes Healing....





To learn more about the SOS Madison Suicide Loss Support Group and group meetings, CLICK HERE for a 2 page brochure.