SAGINAW SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE

About our support group...

Saginaw Survivors of Suicide has been holding bi-monthly meetings in the Saginaw area since 1990.  Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month form 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at Healthsource in Saginaw.  The support group was founded by Barb Smith, whose brother suicided at the age of twenty.  The group was formed with the understanding that survivors need a place they can share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.  Part of our healing is in meeting others who understand, can offer support, strength, and hope.  sometimes when you feel alone and isolated, just knowing that there are others who have survived this traumatic experience can be comforting.  In addition to support, our group offers the community a lending library, resources, and referrals.

Saginaw Survivors of Suicide Mission Statement

Our mission is to offer group support and understanding to those who have lost a loved one to suicide and to foster in the community suicide awareness and education so that future acts may be prevented.

An Example of Guidelines for Support Group Participants:

Participating in a Survivors Support Group

This Survivors of Suicide group provides members with an experience of healing and community with other survivors.  In addition, it gives participants an opportunity to join in a process which leads to comfort, support and information exchange.  We believe that this is best done in the non-confronting small group format which encourages participation of all members and maximizes the potential of each member to contribute meaningfully to the process.  To that end, we suggest the following guidelines:

1. Adults learn best by hearing experiences of others, not by getting advice from others.  Therefore, it is usually best to say what YOU did in a similar situation, rather than what someone else SHOULD do.

2. Inquire to learn more about something.  Don't put anyone on trial or try to point out the faults in someone else's thinking or actions.

3. Respect the opinions and experience of others.  What doesn't work for you may work for someone else.

4. Share even if you were unhappy about the outcome of some action.  It might help someone else avoid repeating your mistakes.

5. Be respectful of other's grief.  Don't interrupt.

6. Share the time available in the group.  Don't monopolize.

7. Don't expect others to solve your problems or give you advice.

8. Be open to help from people other than the leader.

9. The information about themselves which participants share in small groups is CONFIDENTIAL.

10. Give yourself a chance.  If tonight's meeting doesn't do it for you come back at least three more times before deciding that you are better off somewhere else. 

Our mission is to offer group support and understanding to those who have lost a loved one to suicide and to foster in the community suicide awareness and education so that future acts may be prevented.