Community and Author Events

International Survivors of Suicide Day
2012 Local Gathering – Concord, CA

INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS DAY
Always the Saturday before Thanksgiving
Survivor Day Information and to find your local events.
Every year, survivors of suicide loss gather together in locations around the world to feel a sense of community, promote healing, and to connect with others that have had similar experiences. Join with others in your community or online to listen to a diverse panel of survivors discuss their losses, how they coped, and much more.

View Documentaries from Past Survivor Days
View full documentaries. (20-30 min each)
Note: Subtitles in over 15 languages. Click “CC” button in the right corner of the “Play” bar.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALKS
September-November
Thousands of people nationwide walk in their local communities to raise awareness about depression and suicide, and provide comfort and assistance to those who have lost someone to suicide. Community Walks, Campus Walks, and Overnight Walks.
Walk information and short video.
Find the Walks in your state.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
September
AFSP Resources
AAS Resources

UNFINISHED CONVERSATION GROUP CURRICULUM
GUIDED JOURNEY FOR HEALING FROM SUICIDE AND LOSS
10-WEEK GROUP

Offer this 10-week group in your community, organization, or consider offering an online group. Based on the book, this comprehensive curriculum package provides everything you need to offer a 10-week guided healing process through the grief from suicide loss. Different from a general support group, this guided healing process explores a different topic each week and is paced through four phases:

(1) Stabilization: Creating Support and Honoring
2) Processing: Coming to Terms with Memories
(3) Transformation: Finding Perspective and Meaning
(4) Integration: Deepening Healing and Wellbeing

The curriculum is designed for the use of professionals and organizations who serve those touched by suicide loss including hospice and grief services, suicide loss support groups, high schools, colleges, social service and mental health programs, suicide prevention services, therapists and clergy, and other healing professionals.
Overview of the Curriculum Package and To Order
Curriculum developed by co-authors Marilynne Chöphel MFT and Robert Lesoine MA, Ed.

PHOTOS FROM COMMUNITY EVENTS

Out of the Darkness Walk
Presentation: Kevin Briggs, CHP Officer
Dawn by Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
October 18, 2014

Out of the Darkness WalkOakland, CA October 18, 2014
Kevin Berthia, Survivor and Advocate for Suicide Prevention
Sgt. Kevin Briggs, Retired California Highway Patrol Officer, Suicide Intervention/Prevention

Kevin Berthia’s TED Talk The Impact of Listening (audio, 20 min)
Sgt. Kevin Briggs’ TED Talk The Bridge Between Suicide and Life (audio, 14 min)
Story Corps “I just got on that rail and turned around…” (audio, 3 min)
NPR 10 Years Later, A Pair Of Strangers Revisit A Leap Not Taken (audio, 3 min)

Robert Lesoine at the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk
October 25, 2014

Out of the Darkness Walk
Dawn by Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
October 19, 2013

Out of the Darkness Walk
Dawn over the Sacramento Capitol Building
October 4, 2014

Out of the Darkness Walk
Presentation: Katie Williams
Sacramento Capitol Building
October 4, 2014