Survivors of Suicide
According to the American Association of Suicidology and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention each year more than 29,000 people in the United States die by suicide. One adult kills themselves every 18 minutes. One youth kills themselves every 2 hours. Suicide is this country’s 11th leading cause of death. It is the 3rd cause of death for American youth. For every suicide at least 6 people- family members, friends, coworkers- are directly affected.
Survivors often experience powerful reactions to the loss of a loved one. One place a survivor can turn to for help during this painful time is a support group. Support groups allow survivors to tell and retell their painful experiences. Talking about ones experience can be very helpful to a survivor. However after a period of time friends and family members may not want to hear the story again or talk about the pain they are going through. By telling one’s story in a safe secure environment a survivor can begin the healing process. Survivors who attend a support group are often not as isolated as those who do not. The grieving process is very difficult and having the support of others who have gone through a similar experience can make this process a little easier. The support group is also a source of education. Some of the subjects a support group can give information on are common grieving reactions, community resources, coping with the holidays and anniversary dates, and working though medical and insurance bills.
There are several support groups in Wichita that focus on loss by suicide. They are as follows:
Sunflower Chapter TCF
Burt and Mary McClard
316-721-5308 for more information on meeting times
Good Grief of Kansas Inc.
Suicide Loss Group
(This group is for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one
through suicide)
570 S. Oliver
Wichita, KS 67218
Phone 316-612-0700
Please call Good Grief for more information
Three Trees
Providing support and a comforting environment for grieving
children and their families.
Tallgrass Executive Park
8100 E. 22nd St. North
Bldg 800, Ste. 100,
Wichita, KS 67226
Phone 316-263-3335
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