I traveled to Amarillo, Texas in May to speak at their LOSS conference, which stands for Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors (LOSS). LOSS is a nonprofit focused on supporting suicide loss survivors starting at the time when they lose their loved ones.
Here’s a short scenario of what happens when a LOSS team is dispatched:
- A suicide loss survivor and mental health provider arrive on the scene and speak with the police officers on-site.
- If appropriate, they sit with the family for emotional support
- The team leaves a binder with practical information and resources such as how to write an obituary, resources to call, support groups, cleanup, and more.
- This allows the officers to do what they need to do and relieves them of providing emotional support when they have to complete their investigation of the scene.
The photo at the top of the page shows the volunteers who respond to those calls. I asked lots of questions, especially for suicide loss survivors. Most of them said that giving back had helped them heal.
Learning outcomes from grief and loss event
This is just three out of dozens. Here is most of the batch on Facebook.
Coping Strategies for Grief & Loss
This is a practical, guide with examples and handholding for those in the early stages of grief. Written by three contributing authors who have suffered the loss of a child, two of whom died by suicide and one from a brain tumor. By Anne Moss Rogers and Karla Helbert LPC
- Choose from over 17 coping strategies to help you manage the pain of loss.
- Learn how others have moved through grief in a healthy and productive way.
AnneMoss Rogers is a leading wellness and suicide education expert and one of the top mental health speakers and suicide prevention speakers. Known for her powerful, motivational keynotes, AnneMoss combines her personal story of loss with proven strategies to help organizations build a wellness culture that drives results and saves lives. She speaks at conferences, workplaces, K-12 schools, and universities, delivering impactful presentations that inspire change and promote mental health awareness.
AnneMoss does this work in memory of her son, Charles, who struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction, and died by suicide at age 20 in 2015.
We have a LOSS team in our community and looking for a mental health and grief speaker for a regional summit. I just sent you a contact form. I looked forward to hearing from you.
Hey David. I replied to your request. I look forward to speaking with you.
I didn’t see you in Texas but I went to your session at the afsp event in ohio. you were so inspiring.
Somehow I missed this but thank you so much for that thoughtful comment.
I was in the audience that day you came and spoke and you were amazing. For so long I’ve kept my sadness from my daughters suicide all bottled up and after you spok e i realized that it was keeping me fixed in a relly bad place. i have joined a supoort group since and that has helped. thank you i waited too long but at least i finally did it
Thank you so much for being there. And I’m so glad you went and got support.