Grief After 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, HEALING TAKES TIME.
Recommended Reading
“SOS: A Handbook for Survivors of Suicide”
A publication of the American Association of Suicidology. Written by a survivor for survivors, the guidebook addresses the unique aspects of suicide loss and grief and offers suggestions for what to do in the aftermath.
SOS Handbook in Spanish “Sobrevivientes de un Suicida”
Survivors of Suicide Loss Resources
A brief directory of literature and websites for survivors of suicide loss.
TSPN – Survivor of Suicide Loss Resource Sheet
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 Group Meetings in Tennessee
Bristol
Survivors of Suicide
Contact information:
Call (276) 466-2218, (276) 828-7731, or (877) 928-8522 for details.
Location information:
Bristol, VA.
Meeting Information
Monthly, 1st Friday, 7:00 PM.
Chattanooga
Grief Support Groups
Location Information:
Hospice of Chattanooga
More Information
Hospice of Chattanooga website
Cookeville
GriefShare
Contact Information:
Marlene Bassetts, John Schaefer
(931) 644-9600
mr.john2889@gmail.com
Meeting Information
Mondays at 5:30 PM, Tuesdays at 9:30 AM, and Wednesdays at 1:00 PM
More Information
GriefShare website
Journey grief support group
Contact Information:
(931) 525-2600
info@heartofthecumberland.org
Meeting Information
Call or e-mail for next course date
More Information
Website
Franklin
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Contact Information:
Family & Children’s Service
(615) 244-7444 (24/7)
Meeting Information
Every Monday, 7:00-8:30 PM. Call to register.
Huntingdon
Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group
Contact Information:
Christy Blount
cblount2@utm.edu
Location Information
Baptist Memorial Hospital
631 R B Wilson Dr.
Huntingdon, TN 38344
Meeting Information
Monthly, 1st Saturday, 8:30–9:30 AM
Jackson
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Contact Information:
Paula Terry
(731) 609-8897
pcterry64@yahoo.com
Meeting Information
Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM
Jefferson City
Johnson City/Tri-Cities
Grief Support Group
Dr. Barbara Sims
barb@bsims.net
Location Information
Summit Leadership
3104 Hanover Road
Johnson City, TN
Meeting Information
Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, 6:00-7:30 PM
Survivors of Suicide Support Group (Lee County, VA)
Contact Information:
Bill & Phyllis Russell
Lee Behavioral Health
Location Information
Lee Behavioral Health
Meeting Information
Monthly, 4th Thursday
Knoxville
ComPASS
Communicating the Pain as Suicide Survivors
Contact Information:
Gabe Blake
865-970-9800
gabe@franklinkyle.com
Location Information
Peninsula: The Light House
1451 Dowell Springs Road
Knoxville, TN 37909
Meeting Information
Monthly, 2nd Monday, 6-7:30 PM in the Administrative Board Room (lower level).
More Information
Information Flyer
Suicide Grievers Support Group
Contact Information:
PJ Alexander, LCSW, CT, BCD
865-640-2459
palexander1051@gmail.com
Location information
5410 Homberg Drive, Suite 18
Knoxville, TN 37392
Meeting Information
Monthly, 2nd Thursday, 7:00 PM
Please contact facilitator by email, call, or text prior to your first meeting.
Contact Care Survivors of Suicide Group
Contact information:
Scott Payne
865-973-9673
Location Information
Bookwalter UMC
4218 Central Avenue Pike
Knoxville, TN 37912
Meeting Information
Every Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 PM
Maryville
Contact Care Survivors of Suicide Group
Contact Information:
Scott Payne
865-973-9673
Location Information
Full Circle Counseling and Wellness
681 Morganton Square Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
Meeting Information
Every Saturday, 1:00-2:30 PM
Memphis
Healing Hearts Suicide Grief
Support Group
Contact Information:
Kerry Mitchell
(901) 208-6814
momofjamaje@yahoo.com
Location Information
White Station Church of Christ
1106 Colonial Road
Memphis, TN 38117
Meeting Information
Monthly, 3rd Thursday, 6:30 PM
Flyer -- including locations in Oxford and Southaven, MS
Murfreesboro
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Contact Information:
(615) 244-7444
Meeting Information
Every Thursday, 7:00 PM
Nashville
Survivors of Suicide Loss (VIRTUAL)
Contact Information:
Family & Children’s Service
(615) 244-7444 (24/7)
Meeting Information
Every other Thursday, 7:00- 8:00 PM. Call to register.
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Contact Information:
Family & Children’s Service
(615) 244-7444 (24/7)
Location Information
Nashville, TN
Meeting Information
Every Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 PM. Call to register.
Savannah (Hardin & Surrounding Counties
Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Support Group Meeting
Contact Information:
Dr. Kelly Young
(731) 212 – 2482
Meeting Information
Monthly, 4th Monday, 6:00 PM
More Information
Alt. Phone: (731) 215 – 0733
Sevierville
ComPaSS (Communicating the Pain as Suicide Survivors)
Contact Information:
Dr. Cynthia Lynn or Jack and Robin Maples
(865) 654-8247
clynn3118@gmail.com
Meeting Information
3rd Thursday at 6 PM
More Information
Alt. Phone: (865) 680-3256
Winchester
Spring Hill
Suicide Loss Support
Contact Information:
Karyl Chastain Beal
(931) 674-2314
karylofcolumbia@cs.com
Meeting Information
Monthly, 1st Monday,5:30 p.m.
More Information
grief-after-suicide.com
Wartrace (Bedford County)
Grief Support of Bedford County
Contact Information:
Alexandria Morris-Kale
niomi_morris@yahoo.com
Meeting information
Monthly, last Thursday
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, confidential, short-term support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.