BCSP LOSS Team
Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention board members attended training by Dr. Frank Campbell for the newly launched Berkshire County LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. LOSS teams are made up of trained volunteers, many who are suicide loss survivors. These volunteers go to the scene of a suicide to provide support, information about available resources, and hope to the newly bereaved. Dr. Campbell launched the first LOSS team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1998 after twenty years working with people who had lost a loved one to suicide. Based on Dr. Campbell’s Active Postvention Model (APM), the goal of the LOSS model is to make sure survivors do not wait years to get the help they need to cope with this devastating and traumatic loss. Without postvention, the average length of time that survivors of suicide loss take to reach out for help is 4.5 years; research shows that people bereaved by a suicide loss are at increased risk for dying by suicide themselves. The Berkshire County LOSS team will work in conjunction with the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.
Suicide Bereavement Support Groups
These groups provide a safe place for suicide loss survivors (people who have lost loved ones to suicide) to share their experiences and support each other. A nationwide directory of suicide loss support groups can be found at https://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/.
Before attending a support group, please call or email to verify date and location.
Healing after Suicide Loss (Pittsfield, MA)
Meeting Day/Time: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of every month, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Meeting Place - FIRST Tuesday of the Month: Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave. (corner of Broad St) Pittsfield, MA
Meeting Place - THIRD Tuesday of the Month: Virtual meeting via Zoom
Overview: Both Groups - Peer (Survivor) Facilitated, No Fee. Drop-ins are welcome.
REGISTER: suicideloss@berkshirecoalition.org
Survivors of Suicide Loss (East Longmeadow, MA)
Meeting Day/Time: THIRD Mondays monthly from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Meeting Place: Forestiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Overview: Facilitated by members of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, No Fee.
Registration: Not required
CONTACT: mcaleer2006@verizon.net; or forastiere.com/grief-support
The Garden - Center for Grieving Children and Teens (Northampton, MA)
Meeting Day/Time: Weekly on Sunday Afternoons during Fall and Spring
Meeting Place: Hampshire Regional YMCA, 286 Prospect St., Northampton, MA
Overview: Peer/Professional Facilitated, No Fee. For more information: www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/the-garden
Register: Shelly Batthe Lenn, slenn@mgb.org or (413) 727-5749
Dee Dee’s Cry: Life After Loss (Online)
Meeting Day/Time: Weekly on Sunday mornings 9:00-11:00am
Meeting Place: Online
Overview: Peer Facilitated, No Fee.
Register: deedeescry@gmail.com ( In the subject line, please put: I want to join the “Life After Loss Group.”
Samaritans Hope (Online)
Meeting Day/Time: Weekly on Tuesday & Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM; Weekly on Wednesday, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM ; and Monthly on 1st Saturday, 10:00 AM
Meeting Place: Online
Overview: Peer Facilitated, No Fee.
Register: samaritanshope.org/our-services/grief-support
Other Resources
Healing Conversations, AFSP Western MA
Healing Conversations is a one-time visit (phone, virtual, in-person) that connects those who have lost a loved one to suicide with trained volunteers who are also survivors of suicide loss. For more information, click here.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Funeral and Burial Assistance Program
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offers support to eligible families who do not have resources to cover these expenses. For more information about this program and how to apply by visiting the DTA website, click here. You may also visit the Pittsfield DTA office at: 160 North Street, Suite 201, Pittsfield, MA; or contact by phone: (413) 236-2000.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
It’s the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope. Always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
To find Survivor Day events near you, click here.