[Nik-key]

10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008

Program to Reach Over 165 Conference Sites Nationwide and Internationally
Webcast Available on the AFSP Website with Online Chat to Follow.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, AFSP will sponsor its 10th annual National Survivors of Suicide Day, reaching out to thousands of people who have lost a loved one to suicide. The day of conferences connects survivors of suicide loss through a 90-minute broadcast, allowing them to share their experiences of loss. The broadcast features a panel of experienced survivors and mental health professionals and offers emotional support and information about resources for healing after the loss of a loved one to suicide.

For full story and to register to watch from your computer ...

http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseac...1285B6BBCF366E

[Nik-key]

As this is my first year here, I was wondering is there a chat or thread for people to share after the program? Or during the day? (only if they want to of course )

[Alffe]

Nikki, I'm not sure I understand your question...*grin. There is an online chatroom...that we can participate in after the broadcast..

"Website with Online Chat to Follow" (not on NT but on the AFSP site)

When I got the letter verifying that I had signed up to listen they told me of this Chat line and gave a link to it. I pm'd you because I don't understand if we have to sign in as ourselves or can I be Alffe. *grin

Can't find it in my favorites, I hope I printed it.

As I said...I do sweat the small stuff.

[Alffe]

ain't the internet grand! How's your thumb?

[Nik-key]

((Alffe)) I knew about the chat after the broadcast, and I plan to go. I think it would be a wonderful way to connect with other survivors.

I was wondering if there was a chat thread here, not so much about the broadcast, but a thread about the day. If there isn't and I want to talk about something, I guess I can make my own thread! LOL

[Nik-key]

PS: My thumb hurts! Never knew how much I used the lil bugger LOL

[Alffe]

What is National Survivors of Suicide Day?
National Survivors of Suicide Day was created by U.S. Senate resolution, through the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide. Every year, AFSP sponsors an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, information and empowerment.


I didn't know that Sen.Harry Reid of Nev. lost his father to suicide.
(just practicing and reading at their site)

[Alffe]

I thought the program today was wonderful! I had trouble keeping up in the chat room as it rolled to fast...then I had to go pick up my car (snow tires on!) and came back as the formal chat ended.

It made me want to take part in the Outof Darkness walk but it's just too far for me. I'll give them $$. *grin

I loved the analogy of The Perfect Storm...all things coming together in someones life and ending with a suicide.

I did see some familiar "faces" in there.

[Nik-key]

I thought the program today was well done. My little niece watch it with me, and asked several times if I needed a hug. Always a yes! Programs like this, people speaking out, it is the only way to break the silence.

I found the chat after to be overwhelming!! It would have been better to have much smaller groups. But, yes I too saw some familiar faces too

[BJ]

It was nice to see some familiar faces in there

I was very impressed with the whole thing except the chat which was way too fast and off topic. I didn't think I'd be able to watch it all since when she lit two candles and blew out one, the one you're grieving for, I lost it. I told myself I had to snap out of it and watch.

I too Alffe was struck by the words perfect storm. My pdoc actually used that analogy on me last time I was in the hospital. Except she said my mind was like a perfect storm with a blast of cold air coming down from Canada.

When that lady was talking about losing her brother I felt her pain. But what really struck me was when she said she was never ashamed of her brother. I know I was then, not now, but that was my dad's fault. He made my mom and I feel ashamed and I'm sorry she didn't get the support she needed and deserved.

Nikki I thought of you when that guy said his dad didn't get help for his depression. It's so sad that his doctor didn't feel there was a need.

I'm taking some of their thoughts to heart. I'm going to try to give the gift of honesty, I won't hide it anymore. And my brother's life will never be defined by the way he died. And that Mark is a promise