Suicide Grief Support

PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT BEREAVED

Suicide loss involves a unique grieving process that requires a particular set of resources to help those bereaved. At the Crisis Centre, we are working towards creating a community of those who have had the difficult experience of losing someone to suicide. Connection and education are part of our means to respond to your needs.

contact info:

bereavement@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Suicide Grief Support Group

“Support groups can offer tremendous comfort and safety in knowing we are not alone. The knowledge that there are others who have some understanding of what we have been through can help us heal and move forward in our grief journey” 

Jude Platzer

The BC Bereavement Helpline and the Crisis Centre host a grief support group for those bereaved by suicide. Being with others who have experienced a similar loss helps reduce isolation, increase coping skills, and create long-term networks of support. This group is led by two skilled, experienced and caring facilitators.

Upcoming Support Group

Winter 2022

Dates: January 18- March 8

Time: Tuesday afternoons, 12:30-2:30 pm PST

Location: Via Zoom videoconferencing

Facilitators: Debra Wolinsky RCC and Jessica Wolf RCC

To Register:  contact [at] bcbh [dot] ca or call 604-738-9950.

Suicide Grief Support Group Poster W2022

Additional Resources

Losing someone to suicide is a unique loss like no other, and can lead to a number of conflicting feelings and many unanswered questions.  There is no one way to feel or grieve the death by suicide—we all react and grieve differently.  And most importantly, it is important to remember that you are not alone—suicide impacts more people than we often know about.

Handouts

• Suicide Loss Survivors Resources (American Association of Suicidology )

Videos

• One event does not define a life  (Jessica Wolf / BCBH)
• Supporting those Bereaved by Suicide Becky’s Story  (Lifeline Australia)
• Supporting those bereaved by Suicide Paul’s Story  (Lifeline Australia)

For more information on suicidal bereavement:

• Suicide Grief  & Coping with Loss (Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention)
• After a Student Suicide (Centre for Suicide Prevention)
• Hope and Healing: Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide
• After a suicide toolkit for Schools

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event

Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world. The Crisis Centre offered a virtual event this past November 20 to bring education and connection to the our community of survivors in BC. Stay tuned for our next event in 2022.

Looking for information and can’t seem to find it?

Please fill out this form and we will be in touch to explore your unique programming and training needs. If you or someone you know is struggling, especially with thoughts of suicide, please contact our distress services.