For Survivors of Suicide

You are not alone…

Support for anyone who has lost a loved one through suicide

Advice For Survivors

  • Even if you feel that you cannot survive, know that you can.
  • Feelings of shock, guilt, blame, anger, relief, depression, and isolation are common responses to grief. These emotions can be overwhelming but know that they are normal.
  • Each survivor grieves in his own way and at his own pace.
  • Seek out people who are willing to listen without judging.
  • Remember that many people are affected by suicide.
  • Seek professional help if needed.
  • Take care of yourself—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • This is the hardest thing you will ever do. Be patient and do not try to do it by yourself.
  • Remember that HEALING TAKES TIME.

SOS Can Help

  • Survivors of Suicide group meetings are open to anyone who has lost a loved one through suicide or who is helping someone who has lost a loved one through suicide.
  • Survivors need a safe place to explore their feelings of grief and anger, to raise questions and doubts.
  • We are here whenever the survivor is ready for us and for as long as he or she needs us.
  • We understand that the grieving process is hard work.
  • Members have all been there and are often the only ones who can truly understand the survivor.
  • Survivors can attend an SOS meeting the day of the funeral, a few months after, or even years later.
  • Survivors are free to talk or just listen.

SOS Groups In Tennessee

Centerville
Left Behind By Suicide
Senior Care Building, Hickman Community Hospital
Rosa Newton (rosa.newton@baptisthospital.com)
(931) 729-4271, ext. 3933
1st and 3rd Fridays at 5 PM

Chattanooga
SITE (Suicide Isn’t the End)
Gloria Hastings (stratcat@comcast.net) or Tonia Shadwick (wckedstepmom@comcast.net)
Call (423) 544-7608 or 834-1709 for meeting times

Clarksville
Survivors of Suicide (flyer)
Cindy Johnson (cjohnson@thmgt.com)
(931) 538-6420
3rd Mondays at 7 PM

Columbia
Friends and Families of Suicides
Karyl Chastain Beal (arlynsmom@bellsouth.net)
(931) 388-9289
1st Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM
“Faces of Suicide” Tennessee Memorial Page

Cordova**
Healing Hearts Suicide Grief Support Group (flyer)
Kim Mitchell (kimmitchell@hopepres.com)
(901) 507-1902
2nd and 4th Sundays at 6:30 PM

Franklin
Survivors of Suicide
Scott Payne (sos@fcsnashville.org)
(615) 244-7444
Every Monday at 7:00 PM

Jefferson City
Cynthia Lynn
ComPaSS (flyer)
(865) 471-3256
6 PM on the first Thursday of each month
clynn@cn.edu

Johnson City/Gray*
Tri-Cities Survivors of Suicide
Linda Harold (tnbubster@yahoo.com)
Harold Leonard (hleonard@centurylink.net)
(423) 913-1255 or 245-5608
4th Monday of each month at 6:00 PM

Knoxville
Suicide Grievers Support Group
Paula J. Alexander, LCSW, CGC (pj4031@tds.net)
(865) 671-9631
2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM
Suicide Grievers Support Group Website

Maryville
Blount County Survivors of Suicide (flyer)
Barbara Lasater (blasater@bmnet.com)
(865) 984-4223
2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM

Memphis**
Healing Hearts Suicide Grief Support Group (flyer)
Lisa Morris (survivorsinms@yahoo.com)
(901) 743-4701
3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM

Murfreesboro
Survivors of Suicide
Brittany Dyer (brittany_dyer@yahoo.com) or Karen Potratz (kpotratz@fbcmboro.org)
(615) 904-8623, ext. 53, or 962-4163
2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7:00 PM

Nashville
Survivors of Suicide (flyer)
Samantha Owen (sos@fcsnashville.org)
(615) 244-7444
Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM

Support for Survivors of Suicide
(faith-based course, limited availability)
March 9-May 4
$75 registration fee to cover cost of materials
Sue Foster, MA, LMFT
(615) 330-9919
sue@musicforthesoul.org

*Some northeast Tennessee residents may find it more convenient to participate in the Survivors of Suicide group currently operating out of Bristol, Virginia. This group meets on the first Friday of the month at 7 PM; call (276) 466-2218, (276) 828-7731, or (877) 928-8522 for details.

Additionally, the Lee County Survivors of Suicide Support Group meets the 4th Thursday of each month at Lee Behavioral Health in Jonesville, Virginia. For more information, contact Bill & Phyllis Russell at (276) 346-1641 or Lee Behavioral Health at (276) 346-3590.

**The Healing Hearts Suicide Grief Support Group also meets in Southaven, Mississippi. This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM; call (662) 832-5574 for details.  Another group meets in Oxford, Mississippi on the third Sunday of each month at 2 PM; for details call (662) 701-7389.

Internet Support

www.pos-ffos.com
www.suicidegrief.com
www.facesofsuicide.com
www.suicidememorialwall.com

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Survivors of Suicide can be found here.

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