Suicide Grief Support Groups
The BC Bereavement Helpline offers suicide grief support groups to help suicide survivors come together to heal in their unique loss. Our grief support groups are led by experienced facilitators. We try very hard to ensure that at least one facilitator is a suicide survivor as they can connect and share in this similar, tragic loss. Our groups are not counselling model, but rather a format in which everyone can come together to connect and be supported with their similar grief experiences. Facilitators will provide space for education and discussion on suicide grief.
Common symptoms of grief due to the death by suicide are the questions of “why?” Why did my loved one decide to do this? Other complications include guilt, “what could I have done differently that would have prevented this death?” By bringing everyone together in a support group, healing and companionship can begin. Many survivors of suicide suffer not only the grief and loss of their loved one but could also be victim to the stigma our society attaches to a death by suicide. Suicide survivors should not suffer alone, nor in silence. Being with others who have experienced a similar loss has proven to break isolation and create long-term networks of support.
Our 8-week suicide grief support groups provide:
- A safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment with time for restorative sharing of stories and insights
- Essential grief and mourning survival tools to help survivors in their daily lives
- Practical support and information as well as valuable community connections
- A respectful space for honouring the life of the person who has died
- In weeks 4 and 5 we focus on the life of the person who has died, as our goal is to ultimately connect the survivor with the life of their loved one, as opposed to the death.
Our grief support groups are currently being offered online or in person. Maximum capacity is nine members per group.
- We ask that you are available for all 8 sessions of the group, as each group builds upon the previous knowledge and connections.
- For online groups, you should have either a computer, laptop or tablet. Sorry, no phones as it is not possible to see all group members at once.
To join our waitlist for our Suicide Grief Support Group, please click here, or email [email protected].
One Event Does Not Define a Life. Coping with Suicide Loss.
Details
Facilitator and author, Jessica Wolf Ortiz speaks to the specific challenges of a suicide loss and the experiences of those who are left behind. She helps us understand why this is considered a traumatic loss, some of the common feelings and thoughts of suicide survivors (those left behind) and how this one event does not define a life.
Video: What is Suicide Bereavement?
Surviving the Loss
Support Group Testimonials
“It was nice to talk with others going through similar experiences who could relate to what I’m going through.”
“Thank you for providing this greatly needed service.”
“I felt what I learned and the connections I made were so beneficial and would be helpful to others.”
“I have realized how helpful and supportive it is to communicate with others who are experiencing a similar situation.”
“It was nice to talk with others going through similar experiences who could relate to what I’m going through.”
“It was beyond helpful [the support group], from start to finish. I could have never imagined finding such an amazing safe and supportive group.”
“Both facilitators had experienced loss from suicide before, which was amazingly helpful. They let us talk freely and openly, without judgement, and they know what we’re going through. (*BCBH support groups strive to have at least one facilitator who has experienced similar losses. We are not always able to find two.)”
“It’s been something I look forward to and crave and has been an amazing gift to share in a space where people understand! Thank you.”