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.
Support Groups in Wichita
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.
Survivors of Suicide Group
2622 W. Central, #B112
Wichita, KS 67203
Phone 316-612-0700
Kidzcope
9415 E Harry, Ste. 501
Wichita KS 67202
316-263-3335
Links to Other Web Sites
We encourage you to visit these web sites for additional information.
American Association of Suicidology
AAS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. This site is designed as a resource for anyone concerned about suicide, including AAS members, suicide researchers, therapists, prevention specialists, Survivors of Suicide Loss, and people who are themselves in crisis. You will also find a National Directory of Support Groups for Survivors of Suicide Loss on this site.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
AFSP was founded in 1987 by concerned scientists, business and community leaders, and Survivors of Suicide Loss in an effort to support the research and education needed to prevent suicide. This organization also offers educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians, and the public. This site contains a section dedicated to survivor support as well as a 1998 National Directory of Survivor Support Groups for families and friends of suicide.
SPANUSA
The Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN) is a grass-roots, non profit organization dedicated to the creation of an effective national suicide prevention strategy. SPAN links the energy of those bereaved by suicide with the expertise of leaders in science, business, government and public service to achieve the goal of significantly reducing the national rate of suicide by the year 2010.
Suicide Awareness\Voices of Education
The mission of SA\VE is to educate about suicide and to speak for suicide survivors.
Sharing and Healing
Information and support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. A quarterly newsletter written by survivors of a loved one who died by suicide.
Surviving Suicide
A Web Site For Healing After The Loss Of A Loved One By Suicide
Survivors of Suicide
The purpose of the Survivors of Suicide web site is to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way.
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