Survivor Support Services provide education, information, support, referral and follow-up care those who have recently experienced the loss of someone to suicide and those who have attempted suicide and may be suffering from depression, in an effort to reduce the incidence of suicide attempts and the development of mental health disorders.
The program serves all ages, and individuals can be self-referred or referred by partner agencies. For children, adolescents and adults who are coping with the loss of someone to suicide, the program provides individual counseling. Short-term bereavement counseling can also be provided to a family to improve their functioning and communication after the loss of a family member. In addition to counseling, the program offers bereavement groups and closed groups that provide a safe, non-judgmental place for people who have survived a suicide attempt to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide.
Survivor Support Face-to-Face Services
Individual Counseling for Survivors after Suicide: Children, adolescents, adults and older adults who are coping with the loss of someone to suicide can receive time-limited individual counseling. Short-term bereavement counseling is also available to families who want to improve their functioning and communication after the loss of a family member.
Survivors after Suicide Bereavement Groups: Two different bereavement groups are offered for anyone who is coping with the loss of someone to suicide. The first is an eight-week, closed format group, co-facilitated by a therapist and a survivor. The goal is to establish a safe place without stigma for survivors to share experiences, ask questions, and express painful feelings so they can move forward with their lives. The second group is a drop-in bereavement group designed to help individuals receiving individual counseling (described above), and program alumni so that they continue the healing process in the months and years following their losses.
Survivors of Suicide Attempts (SOSA) Support Group
The program offers closed groups that provide a safe, non-judgmental place for people who have survived a suicide attempt to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide. The goal of this group is to support their recovery and provide them with skills for coping with deep hurt. The program also provides individuals with culturally appropriate follow-up care and education.
Language(s): English, Spanish, and Korean.
Hours of Operation: Administration: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday – Friday and by appointment (group and/or individual hours are determined by participating members)
