I was going to seek advice and support from one particular SOSer.......

then i thought...this is a collective forum...a melting pot of opinion and thoughts

so i address this to you all.

On a previous post i mentioned a young man of several attempted suicides.... with him comes a mother who is angry, distraught, lost, confused, ambiguous..etc......................


Both people need the space to TALK..................[1] to each other and [2]also to individuals who have been where they are now.

I have been thinking of setting up an SOS help hep group in the UK..as there is nothing of this nature...plenty of groups for literal successful suicides, and loved ones left behind.....

but not a melting pot like this forum....where both groups meet in the middle.


I think that survivors on both sides of this TABOO can share invaluable dialogue with each other, and some talk is better than none at all.[ if we talked more it may break up/down this disgusting taboo in my humble opinion].


my point is...................i have the work related basis to set this up tomorrow... and have many other agencies i could contact to highlight this idea. [and get many attendees]

my problem is ...i want to do it independently......

QUESTION?????????? HOW DO I DO IT?

your comments are invaluable

Not sure I understand what you are asking....You obviously can get the word out....are you looking for a meeting place? And why would you want to do this "alone"....it's one heck of a responsibility considering what you might run into.....I'm sure you've seen more than your share of desperate people in various stages of their depression. I think it's a good idea David but if it were me, I'd take all the help I could get.

Getting the word out here about our new group has been the big stumbling block but it's early to throw in the towel. Surely wish we had your resources. And no one, no one, wants to talk about suicide including those left behind. ~sigh

Just a couple of days ago, I tore out a two-paragraph article in our local state newspaper about a meeting for the Survivors of Suicide in my state's capital. Immediately, I thought about my friends here on this forum, and I thought, "Something is missing here." I wondered whether to call the contact person or to write to Alffe and ask her for her thoughts. Thankfully, I logged on here where I can talk to all of you about it.

Again, it is the meeting for those left behind. What can I say when my primary need is to survive rather than to try to understand and accept my grandmother's suicide? I've learned so much here because Alffe agreed waaaay back (almost 10 years!) when I challenged her as to just who the "Survivors of Suicide" forum should be for that she could live with a forum that addressed the needs of both! She, I think, had asked for the SOS forum as a place where those who had lost a loved one to death by suicide could meet and talk online. I stumbled onto the forum because I was posting and asking questions about TBI and depression. I'm just so grateful that we found out that we could all meet and talk, whether as a person who was left behind or one who wanted/wants to leave.

David, I hope that you can make a difference there because you make a difference here.

Alffe, thank you for finding room in your heart for me,

reyn

David...where did you go? *grin Are you going to try to set this up?

Alffe............by doing it alone i mean without my companies organisational name.....corporate bodies...tend to loose sight of initiatives and would rather tick boxes that meet legislation, or government targets.

setting up a help group independently allows the group itself the power to lead and steer the group its own way.

this year alone over 35 males who have been referred to where i work, have all attempted suicide or self harmed.
support is there in the beginning, in the way of the Samaritans [prevention]..then after the event there is medication/therapy [post event support]....upon discharge from hospital or doctors....there is a void

a sort of it happened [but lets not discuss it again attitude]

and for the families and friends of these people there is no support or answers to their questions].

i would not be alone in this venture i have a good friend and colleague who is very keen to help facilitate such a self help/ support group of this nature.


Its just an idea at present,

David

And a terrific idea I think! I so get what you are saying corporate bodies!

And I suspect that attempters will talk about it if given someone who will listen without judging. It can be extremely difficult for those left behind to hear it if their loss is recent.

I hope others here will put in their "2 cents" and please keep me posted on your progress.

My 2 cents is just that it is a great idea and plan. If, at first, it has to be separated for need, fine. Maybe later you can bring everyone together to talk because there is so much pain on both sides. I'm thankful that you are trying to help, David. Our Alffe has alot of experience and wisdom to share, and I know that she will help as much as possible.

Bless you both,
reyn

(((reyn))).....I am the poster child of how not to do it. *grin. But thank you for your kind words. It took me 8 years before I talked about Michael killing himself and when I did, it was on the internet....to say that I didn't grieve properly is an understatement.

Now here I am, finally "getting it" and I'm old, tired, very very impatient.
You all must be so sick of hearing me tell you to talk about it but there is nothing more important, that I have learned over these many years, talking about what you are feeling...what ever it is ...will help you to heal............