For many loss survivors, finding people who have experienced similar losses can be a lifeline. The following list of support groups for loss survivors, although mostly virtual currently, can provide a connection with other loss survivors, provide a place to talk safely and openly about what they’re experiencing, and provide hope and healing.
Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors
Samaritans, Inc.:
Virtual meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. In-person SafePlace meetings on Tuesdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm located at 41 West Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA. Contact the Grief Support Services Staff at [email protected] for more information and to RSVP for the meetings.
Samaritans of Cape Cod and the Islands:
[email protected]
Samaritans of Merrimack Valley:
Virtual meetings: one group meets virtually on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7 to 8:30. The second group meets once a month virtually. Email [email protected] for more information
See a New Sun Foundation:
Contact Barbara Whitcomb at [email protected] or call 978.486.4928
Healing after Suicide Loss – East Longmeadow, MA:
Contact Diana and Paul Lewis – 413.525.7752 or email at [email protected]
Healing after Suicide Loss – Northampton, MA:
Contact Geraldine Unger at 413.203.1200 or email at [email protected]
The Garden - Center for Grieving Children – Northampton, MA:
The Garden provides support to grieving young people ages 5-18, and their families following the death of someone close, including parents, siblings, other family members, or friends.
Contact Shelly Bathe Lenn at 413.747.5749 or email at [email protected]
DeeDee’s Cry - Boston: Toy Burton, 781-309-8342; virtual Peer Support groups serving BIPOC communities in the Metro Boston area but also serves the state; contact via email @ [email protected] http://www.deedeescry.com
Healing after Suicide Loss - Pittsfield MA
Contact Name: Bertha Connelley, [email protected]
Meeting Day/Time: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7:30 PM.
Meeting Places:
1st Tuesday: (In Person) Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave. (corner of Broad St) Pittsfield MA 01201
3rd Tuesday: Virtual meeting via Zoom: 6 to 7:30 PM.
In order to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, please register via email for details: [email protected].
Overview: Peer (Survivor) Facilitated, No Fee
Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center – Kingston, MA
Hope Floats offers bereavement and educational support to adults, children, teens, and their families who are grieving, dealing with illness, or facing other life challenges. Suicide loss support groups are also offered. Support group services are offered free of charge; registration is required for all support groups.
For more information or to register, contact Elizabeth or Denise at 781-585-4221 ext. 3. For additional information, contact Elizabeth McKenna at [email protected] or Denise at [email protected].
Website: https://www.hopefloatswellness.org
Surviving a Loved One's Suicide - Northampton
Second Wednesday, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - free, virtual drop-in support group for adults 18 and older.
Peer-run support group where bereaved share experiences of living with the grief of having lost a loved one to suicide.
Contact: Geraldine Unger [email protected]
Sharing Kindness Foundation - Cape Cod
Sharing Kindness is a nonprofit that provides free, evidence-based peer grief support to children and their families, teens and young adults, including a Parent Suicide Loss Survivor Group and a Young Adult Group. Sharing Kindness also hosts an annual Suicide Awareness Walk on Cape Cod each May.
Contact: Kim Mead-Walters at 508-246-1555 or [email protected].
For additional informational contact [email protected]
Website: www.SharingKindness.org
Suggested Reading List
- After Suicide Loss – Coping with your Grief:
Jack Jordan and Bob Baugher; Caring People Press, 2016 - Night Falls Fast - Understanding Suicide:
Kay Redfield Jamison; Knopf, 1999 - Touched By Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss
Michael F. Myers and Carla Fine - Someone I Loved Died by Suicide:
A Story for Child Survivors and Those Who Care for Them: Doreen Cammarata; Grief Guidance, Inc., 2001 - No Time To Say Good-Bye:
Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One; Doubleday, 1997 - Myths About Suicide:
Thomas Joiner; Harvard University Press, 2011 - Dying to be Free:
Beverly Cobain and Jean Larch; Hazelden, 2006 - Suicide Survivors’ Handbook:
Trudy Carlson; Benline Press, 2000 - After Suicide: A Workbook for Grieving Kids:
Dougy Center, 2001 - Reaching Out After Suicide: What’s Helpful and What’s Not:
Linda H. Kilburn; KP Associates, LLC, 2008 - Why People Die by Suicide:
Thomas Joiner; Charles Press, 1997 - Why Suicide:
Eric Marcus; Harper-Collins, 2010 - Do they have bad days in heaven?
Surviving the suicide loss of a sibling by Michelle Linn-Gust; Bolton Press, 2001 - After a Parent’s Suicide: Helping Children Heal:
Margo Requarth; Healing Hearts Press, 2006 - Still With Us: Voices of Sibling Suicide Loss Survivors:
Lena M.Q. Hellman; BDI Publishers, 2019 - Understanding Your Suicide Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart (Understanding Your Grief)
Alan Wolfeit - The Understanding Your Suicide Grief Journal: Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones (Understanding Your Grief) Alan Wolfeit