Survivors of Suicide

Who We Are

SOS BALTIMORE CHAPTER

SOS (Survivors of Suicide) is a survivor-facilitated support group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.

We are a circle of caring and understanding, of listening without judging, and of affirming feelings. In this circle, we speak of suicide and how it has affected our lives.

We invite you to come and find hope.

In the Baltimore SOS circle, we gather because we have lost someone dear to us to suicide: a mother or father, sister or brother, son or daughter, spouse or partner, friend or colleague. We have lost deep, soulful relationships. We are free to talk about all of our feelings…as complex and confused as they may be, without fear of judgment or criticism. However, no one is pressured to participate – there is healing in listening as well.

• We maintain a covenant of confidentiality – what we say here stays here.

• Instead of giving advice, we share our experiences in the hope they may benefit others.

• We do not compare or rank one person’s loss as greater or lesser than another’s – we honor each person’s loss equally.

• We honor and respect one another’s feelings.

We have an electronic newsletter, as well as sharing resources, events, and reading materials to help each other.

SOS is a place of safe harbor for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. We welcome you to join us on your own personal journey towards healing.

Meeting Schedule

 


*PLEASE NOTE*
Our support group is ONLY for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. This rule is STRICTLY observed

Online Meeting Schedule
WEEKLY meetings are scheduled on ZOOM twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7:30-9 p.m.

In-Person Meetings Schedule
In-person meetings are scheduled at the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 7:30-9 p.m.  

For more information, please contact us via email at sos@sosbaltimore.org.

*NEWCOMERS*
We strongly recommend a first-time email consultation for all newcomers, to provide you with more information and to answer any questions or concerns you may have.  Before attending SOS Baltimore, please contact us by email at sos@sosbaltimore.org

Our website is kept up to date. If for any reason a meeting is cancelled (a rare occurrence),  it will be posted here.

Newsletter

We send out a bi-monthly newsletter with upcoming meeting details. Included in the newsletter are poems, quotes, essays, and/or stories that are resonant with coping, grief, and the healing journey. In addition, we honor our loved ones with a list of their names.

Resources

SURVIVOR WEBSITES AND RESOURCES


AFSP Resources for Support after Losing a Loved One to Suicide

http://afsp.org/find-support/ive-lost-someone/

Alliance of Hope
http://www.allianceofhope.org/

Chaos of Loss
www.chaosofloss.com

The Gift of Second (A survivor community)
http://thegiftofsecond.com

Survivors of Suicide
http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com/index.html

Winter Spring
http://winterspring.org/category/suicide-loss-2/

Losing A Child to Suicide (A Support Network)
http://losingachildtosuicide.ning.com/main/authorization/signUp?

SAVE: Coping with a Loss
http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=EB883CA2-7E90-9BD4-C5E35440BC7761EE

Recommended Reading

After a Parent’s Suicide: Helping Children Heal
by Margo Requarth
After A parent's suicide


The After Journey: A survivors guide after the death of a loved on by suicide

by Jenny and Harry Bruell


After Suicide Loss: Coping With Your Grief
by Bob Baugher
after suicide loss


An Empty Chair: Living in the Wake of a Sibling’s Suicide

by Sara Swan Miller
An Empty Chair


Artful Grief: A Diary of Healing

by Sharon Strouse –  Grief Counselor, Art Therapist, and Suicide Survivor in the Baltimore Area
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A Broken Heart Still Beats: After Your Child Dies
by Anne McCracken and Mary Semel
A Broken Heart Still Beats


Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide

by Jan Anderson
Chasing Death


Everything to Live For

by Susan White-Bowden
everything to live for


Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief

by Martha Whitmore Hickman
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Healing A Grieving Heart Series: 100 Practical Ideas
(Including individual books specific to the reader, to children,to teens, to spouses, and others)
by Alan D. Wolfelt PhD
healing your grieving heart

Love in the Archives: A Patchwork of True Stories about Suicide Loss
by Eileen Vorbach Collins


Making Peace with Suicide: A Book of Hope, Understanding, and Comfort

by Adele Ryan McDowell PhD
Making peace


My Son…My Son…: A Guide to Healing after Death, Loss or Suicide

by Iris Bolton and Curtis Mitchell
My Son My Son


No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One
by Carla Fine
No Time to Say Goodbye

The Requirement of Grief
by Danielle Ariano


Silent Grief: Living in the Wake of Suicide
by Christopher Lukas and Henry M. Seiden
Silent Grief


Stronger than Death: When Suicide Touches Your Life
by Sue Chance
Stronger than Death


The Gift of Second

by Brandy Lidbeck
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Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing after Loss
by Michael F. Myers and Carla Fine
Touched by Suicide


The Forgotten Mourners: Sibling Survivors of Suicide

by John’s Sister
forgotten mourners


Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing your Heart
by Alan Wolfelt
Understanding your Grief


What to Do When the Police Leave: A Guide to the First Days of Traumatic Loss
by Bill Jenkins
What to Do when the police Leave


The Wilderness of Suicide Grief: Finding Your Way

by Alan Wolfelt PhD
the wilderness of suicide grief


When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving And Healing
by Marilyn E. Gootman Ed.D.
When A Friend dies

AAOS recommended Survivor Books List
AAS-1 


Additional Support Groups

SOS LIGHTHOUSE: Suicide Bereavement Support Group
An additional SOS peer-facilitated support group that provides bereavement support to anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of every month from 7:00PM-8:00PM.
Location:
St. John’s Lutheran Church
8808 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234
It is held in the main building in the Parlor.

Red doors on the right.
Follow signs upstairs to the Sanctuary and the Parlor is the next room.

SEASONS: Suicide Bereavement Support Group
Like SOS, this is a peer-facilitated support group that provides bereavement support to anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM.
Location:

Spangler Hall
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,
1609 Kurtz Ave.
Lutherville, MD 21093

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SURVIVORS IN GRIEF: 
square-facebook-512FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:

Survivors of Suicide
“Bereavement Support Group”

Suicide Grief Support
“This group is for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.”

Suicide Grief for Parents
“This group is for parents only who have lost a child to suicide.”

TCF (The Compassionate Friends) for Suicide Loss (for Parents, Siblings & Grandparents)
“This group is for parents, siblings and grandparents whose child, sibling or grandchild died by suicide. “

Surviving Spouses of Suicide
“We are a group for spouses who have lost their bipolar husband/wife to suicide. This is a unique situation as we are not only dealing with our experiences of living with and loving a bipolar partner, but also losing them in a traumatic way.”

Survivors of Suicide for Siblings
“This group is open to any sibling survivor of suicide.”

SOS Survivors of Suicide
“A safe place for Survivors of Suicide to share: grief, loss, pain, stories, ask for prayer or just pray.”


Survivor Events


OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALKS

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For suicide survivors, the Out of the Darkness walks are a way to honor lost loved ones, connect with other survivors, and raise awareness about suicide. Funds raised allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
Click here to learn more about Out of the Darkness Walks


MARYLAND Out of the Darkness Community Walks:

 MARYLAND OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALKS

For All NATIONAL Out of the Darkness Community Walks:

ALL OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALKS USA



INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS DAY
:

Saturday, November 23rd, 2024

Survivor Day is 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.
FIND AN EVENT NEAR YOU 

Grief Counseling Resources


SURVIVOR THERAPISTS

Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT
Art Therapy/Psychotherapy Private Practice
Specialty: Grief and Bereavement
www.artfulgrief.com

Associate Director
Portland Institute for Loss and Transition
www.portlandinstitute.org

Tamara L. Aviles, LCSW-C
Trauma and Complicated Grief Specialist (with specialization in suicide grief), Suicide Survivor/former SOS member: Baltimore area

Tamara Van Newkirk, LCSW-C
Psychotherapist/Grief Counselor (with specialization in suicide grief): Baltimore area

Two Suns Healing
Some of our members have found a lot of healing through their counseling services



GRIEF COUNSELING & SERVICES
Local listings for Therapists specializing in Grief Counseling:
Psychology Today Listings (Baltimore area)


PRO BONO COUNSELING PROJECT

Pro Bono Counseling in Baltimore
Free Counseling for financially eligible clients


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Mental Health Association of Maryland
An organization dedicated to assisting connections between therapy providers and clients


If you’re in Crisis



988LIFELINE.ORG




CRISIS TEXT LINE
Text “HOME” to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.


VETERANS CRISIS LINE

The Veterans Crisis Line is a specialized crisis service for veterans facing a mental health crisis.
Veterans can access around-the-clock support by starting an online chat at the Veteran Crisis Line website or by dialing 988 and pressing 1.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MAY BE FOUND AT:

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FIND SUPPORT

 

square-facebook-512 FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING:

“Out of the Abyss”

“Suicide Help Now”

“Suicide Support” 

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OUT OF THE THE DARKNESS WALKS USA


The core of the Out of the Darkness Walks, the Community Walks created a movement. Held in hundreds of cities across the country, they give people the courage to open up about their own struggle or loss, and the platform to change our culture’s approach to mental health.