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
This program is driven by individuals who have experienced first hand
the loss of a loved one to suicide. They volunteer their time as part
of a Bereavement Advisory Committee.
What is Suicide Bereavement?
Upcoming Events
As part of our Bereavement Programming, we will be hosting these events.
A Gathering for Connection and Learning
For Suicide Loss Survivors
Wednesday May 25 from
7pm-8:30pm
Via Zoom
To Register: http://eventbrite.ca/e/gathering-for-connecting-learning-for-suicide-loss-survivors-tickets-329251749847
An Expressive Art Workshop
Saturday June 11
10am-12pm
In Person
To reserve a spot email: cle-zoom@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
Spring 2022
Afternoon Session
Dates: April 28- June 16
Time: 12:30-2:30 pm PST
Location: Via Zoom videoconferencing
Facilitators: Debra Wolinsky RCC and Suicide Bereaved & Pam Bilusack, Suicide Bereaved
Evening Session
Dates: April 12- May 31
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm PST
Location: Via Zoom videoconferencing
Facilitators: Jessica Wolf Ortiz RCC and Suicide Bereaved & Jude Platzer Suicide Bereaved
To Register: contact [at] bcbh [dot] ca or call 604-738-9950.
Our groups fill out often, please contact us as soon as possible to have your name added to our waitlist.
Fall 2022 Dates and Time to be determined.
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
For Survivors
- Suicide Loss Survivors Resources ( AAS American Association of Suicidology)
- Guide for Survivors of Suicide ( Ministry of Health BC)
- Support for people living with loss (CASP Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention)
Other Languages
- SOS_Espanol1 ( AAS American Association of Suicidology)
For Children
- Children Grieving a Suicide Loss (Dougy Center)
For the Indigenous Community
- Indigenous people, trauma and suicide (Centre for Suicide Prevention)
For Schools
- Toolkit for Schools (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
For Managers
- A Manager’s Guide to Suicide Postvention in the Workplace (AAS American Association of Suicidology)
Videos
- One Event does not Define a Life (Jessica Wolf / BCBH)
- Pathways Forward Cultivating Hope after a Suicide Loss (Alex Shendelman/ Toronto Distress Centre)
- Supporting those Bereaved by Suicide Becky’s Story (Lifeline Australia)
- Supporting those bereaved by Suicide Paul’s Story (Lifeline Australia)
- Supporting those bereaved by Suicide Richard’s story (Lifeline Australia)
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 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.