Manual for Support Groups for Suicide Attempt Survivors
Information
The Manual for Support Groups for Suicide Attempt Survivors is available free of charge at http://www.didihirsch.org/download-guides-and-files.
Contact
Patricia S. Speelman, MA, LMFT
Division Director, Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center
4760 S. Sepulveda Blvd Culver City, CA 90230
Phone: 310-895-2352 Fax: 310-895-2370
pspeelman@didihirsch.org www.didihirsch.org/spc
The Manual for Support Groups for Attempt Survivors, developed by the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, serves to guide individuals and organizations in developing and implementing an attempt survivors’ support group in their communities. The support group is an eight-week group that offers a safe, non-judgmental place for people to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide and the impact that their attempt had on their lives. The group provides an opportunity for its participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences and includes an emphasis on tools and skills (e.g., coping skills through safety planning) that can help members stay safe from a future suicide attempt.
Program Objectives
Users of the Manual for Support Groups for Suicide Attempt Survivors will acquire: 1. Knowledge of how to develop, implement, and manage a suicide attempt survivor support group, using a community implementation team model; 2. Knowledge of safety issues related to suicide attempt survivor support groups; and 3. Knowledge of resources and tools for suicide attempt survivors.
Implementation Essentials
- Before implementing a support group for attempt survivors, facilitators need to have training in assessing suicide risk and dealing with imminent risk. It is expected that support group facilitators have education and experience in mental health and suicide prevention.