New event for suicide loss survivors Nov. 19

Monroe County is participating in International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day for the first time this year.

This year’s commemoration is Nov. 19.

“It is a day when suicide loss survivors can gather together to find comfort and gain understanding, as they share stories of healing and hope. It was created by a resolution in the U.S. Congress in 1999, and has since been sponsored and supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, taking place each year on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving. Hundreds of organized events are held throughout the U.S. and around the world,” Reid Depowski-Knowles, a Monroe clinical social worker and local organizer, said. She also is the president of the Michigan Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Monroe County Survivor Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at Monroe County Community College. It’s open only to those who have lost loved ones to suicide and will provide a place to gather and find connection, understanding and hope through shared experience. Admission is free.

Depowski-Knowles’ co-organizer is Lisa Hughes of Monroe, who also works in mental health care. Both organizers have been personally impacted by suicide loss.

“We tried to organize this last year, however ongoing COVID-19 issues and restrictions made it difficult to implement,” Depowski-Knowles said. “Survivors of suicide loss live everywhere, and we want to increase community and connection to as many survivors as we can. It is our personal hope to expand support in Monroe. This event is possible through the joint efforts of the Michigan Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Monroe Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority.”

The organizers are hoping for up to 20 attendees.

“We have a few RSVPs so far. We’d love to host 10-20 attendees this year. We hope to continue hosting and growing this event in future years,” Depowski-Knowles said.

At the event, the documentary “The Journey” will be shown.

“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention developed several documentary films between 2014-17 that tell the stories of diverse groups of suicide loss survivors. They are compelling films that show how survivors weather the loss of a loved one, build resilience and how they are finding their way back to a life rich in meaning and even joy,” Depowski-Knowles said.

Free breakfast, drinks and snacks will be served, and they’ll be time for discussions.

“Attendees can expect to gain support from other survivors of suicide loss and build new connections,” Depowski-Knowles said.

Participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their lost loved ones. Healing art activities also are planned, and the day will include a candlelight ceremony.

“The emotions felt after a suicide loss are deeply personal, and each person may face unique challenges in their grief. We want survivors to know that they are not alone in their healing journey. If someone finds themself in crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be called or texted at 988,” Depowski-Knowles said.

To register, visit monroe-michigan.isosld.afsp.org

For more information, contact Depowski-Knowles at depowski.reid@gmail.com or (734) 790-5003; Hughes at LHughes@monroecmha.org or (734) 384-0034, or Kaye-Lani Wilson at gabbys2001@sbcglobal.net.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New event for suicide loss survivors Nov. 19