Did you know that November 22, 2014 is “International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day”? If you’ve been affected by the suicide of someone you loved, this is an opportunity to come together with others who have experienced something similar. Here’s an excerpt from the SurvivorDay website about the annual day of recognition, and if you’re in the greater Cleveland area and would like to talk to someone about suicide or depression, the Center for Effective Living is here.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day can change your life. It’s the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope…
For many loss survivors, attending a Survivor Day event is the first time they realize they are not alone. Just hearing the stories—from people at all stages of healing—can be helpful. The gathering also provides participants with a chance to share their own stories with those who understand firsthand the challenges of living in the aftermath of a suicide loss.
In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, a survivor of his father’s 1972 suicide, introduced a new resolution into the US Senate. With its passage, the US Congress designated the Saturday before American Thanksgiving “National Survivors of Suicide Day,” a day on which friends and family of those who have died by suicide can join together for healing and support.
In recognition of the fact that suicide knows no geographic or national boundaries and because Survivor Day events are organized around the world, AFSP’s program is called “International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.”