You are not alone. Support is available if you have lost someone to suicide. Support group meetings may be an excellent way to help you cope with your loss.
Attending a support group may be a difficult decision for you. People cite feeling shy, not wanting to share their story with strangers and feeling like they are coping well as reasons for not attending. Many people find that it is helpful to talk with others who have lost a loved one to suicide and learn how they cope with their loss. These groups are not therapy groups, but strictly peer support groups. Contact the group nearest you.
Click Here To View The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Support Group Lists By State.
Survivor Support Groups in Northeast Ohio
AKRON – KENT – RAVENNA
Contact: Barb Medlock at 330.434.1214 ext 106; bmedlock@portagepath.org
Location: Portage Path Behavioral Health, 340 South Broadway, Akron OH 44308
Meetings: Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month; 6:30 – 8pm
Facilitated by: Peer
Charge: No
Counties Served: Summit and neighboring counties
AMHERST
Charis (means “grace” in Greek)
A faith-based ministry for survivors of mental illness and suicide.
Open to the public; no registration required.
Contact: Mandie Nelson at 440.787.6072
E-mail: mandieandjimmy@gmail.com
Location: Freedom House Church, 1240 Park Ave, Amherst OH 44001
Meetings: Second and Fourth Monday of the month; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
COLUMBIA STATION
Esperar (means “hope” in French)
Six-week grief education workshop for those who have lost someone to suicide. Pre-registration is required.
Contact: Nicole Bolz at 440.886.2400
E-mail: bostonbean77@yahoo.com
Location: Christ Church, 23080 Royalton Rd, Columbia Station 44028
Meetings: Tuesdays; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
GRIEF SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN
Joel’s Place for Children
440.248.4412
HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center
Contact: Mary Trivisanno at 216.486.6838
INDEPENDENCE
Contact: Cornerstone of Hope; Julia Ellifritt, LISW at 216.524.3787
Email: julia@cornerstoneofhope.org www.cornerstoneofhope.org
Meetings: 5905 Brecksville Rd, Independence 44131-1517
LAKE COUNTY (Chrysalis)
Contact: Call Ivadell Palko and Connie Martin
ivadell.palko@uhsinc.com, at 440.669.2175
www.lakesuicideprevention.org
Location: Windsor Laurelwood Ctr for Behavioral Medicine
35900 Euclid Ave, Willoughby 44094
Meetings: First Tuesday of the month; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Facilitated by: Peer and Professional
Charge: No
Counties Served: Lake
LYNDHURST
Contact: Binnie Eiger at 216.752.5698
E-mail: b_eiger@yahoo.com
Location: Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church
Montage Rm (2nd floor) 5312 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst 44124
Meetings: Second Thursday of the month; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
On line support: pos-ffos.com (parents of suicides/friends & family of suicides)
MEDINA
Suicide: A Time to Speak, A Time to Heal
Six-week grief education workshop for those who have lost someone to suicide. Participants will receive support, understand the grief process, begin to understand the “why” of suicide, and begin to find some answers.
Pre-registration is required.
Contact: Beth A. McGuire, MDiv, CT; bmcguire@hospiceofmedina.org
Director of Bereavement Services
The Robertson Bereavement Center …a community outreach of Hospice of Medina County and Barberton Hospice and Palliative Care
797 North Court St
Medina OH 44256
330.725.1900 or 1.800.700.4771
www.hospiceofmedina.org
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS
Contact: Maureen Nowak at 440.237.1359
Location: Middleburg Heights Community Church, 7165 Big Creek Pky, Middleburg Heights 44130
Meetings: Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month; 7:30-9:00 pm
SHAKER HEIGHTS
Contact: Binnie Eiger at 216.752.5698
E-mail: b_eiger@yahoo.com
Location: Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights,
2860 Coventry Rd (back parking lot – Rm 103 The Krumbine Rm), Cleveland 44120
Meetings: Fourth Monday of the month; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
On line support: pos-ffos.com (parents of suicides/friends & family of suicides)
STARK COUNTY
Contact: Carole Vesely at 330.588.2204