Survivor of Suicide Loss Day 2019
Survivor of Suicide Loss Day 2019
The Postvention Alliance board members are helping American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in offering a Survivor Day event in Western Colorado to community members on November 23rd. Self-care during bereavement is the primary focus of this year’s event. There will be breakfast snacks, a film, audience discussion, a self-care presentation and activity, a goals photo booth, trained therapy dogs, several wellness exhibits, and lunch vouchers for people who want to stay. If you aren’t near this particular event, please visit AFSP Survivor Day and look for an event near you. We’ll post photos here after the event.
Ten Reasons to Attend a Survivor Day Event:
1. Because you will find connection.
“It was incredibly helpful to hear about the losses that others have experienced, and share my own. It’s not often that I am able to connect with others on that level, and it was very comforting to be in the company of those who truly understand what it means to lose someone to suicide.”
2. Because you will find a safe, supportive space.
“Simply being in the same room as so many other survivors was incredibly helpful. The space felt very safe and I felt like I could express any and all the painful emotions that I was feeling.
3. Because you will learn that your feelings are normal.
“I got to find out that the things I am thinking and feeling are actually quite normal, and that there is nothing wrong with me.”
4. Because you will find hope.
“You can enjoy life again. Survivor is a great word and I feel like one. Ultimately I left with a feeling of encouragement and hope.”
5. Because you will learn things to help you cope and heal.
“I didn’t learn just one thing to help me move forward in my grief: I found many, many things. It was so helpful to realize there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of dealing with suicide loss.
6. Because you will find resources.
“I learned about programs and resources I had no idea were available.”
7. Because you will help others.
“I felt like I was able to offer some help to a recent survivor this year. This is the first time I realized I had something to give back.”
8. Because it can bring you and your family closer.
“My brother and sister attended Survivor Day activities in other parts of the country, and it was comforting to me that we could debrief on the same content.”
9. Because our Survivor Day films tell stories that resonate and inspire.
“I really enjoyed the film. It touched on everything that I was feeling at this very moment in my grieving. It shows that the sadness and anger do not last forever.”
10. Because you will find comfort.
“Everything had a wonderful, fuzzy feeling of comfort like a big, enriching hug! I enjoyed and valued every minute. My husband left feeling better than he had in months.”
