To me, that is key. I don't care what degree people may have..
if you have not lost someone to suicide you can NOT know the
pain. I believe for others to share, they need to know their pain
is felt, that someone else truly does understand. That is what will
make you a fantastic!! leader! It is what makes me a wonderful TN leader.

As for training, I did attend courses. They also had an online 8 week
course. As well as their many many manuals I had to learn and videos
I had to view. Most materials are mine to keep. Others I can "rent" from
their extensive library.

As for getting people to come... when I started my group I did a feature
in the local paper. Put up fliers in every doctor office for miles etc etc.
If you take over the group, maybe you can do something like that? Perhaps
just "seeing" their are others out there "surviving" will draw others out.

I found this site helpful when trying to decide if I thought I could go to an
SOS meeting. http://www.sprc.org/ My sister brought home an
SOS newsletter after my breakdown the other night. If you find people there
not willing to help you in your efforts, I am sure you can find resources there.
Under survivors it gives you folks to contact who I am sure would be glad to
help you!

Best of luck! I wish we were closer.. I WOULD go to a meeting if you were
the leader!!