September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s a month to:
- Raise awareness
- Remember those we have lost to suicide
- Deepen our connection to one another as we seek to make suicide as preventable as possible
An important part of the work that can often be overlooked is suicide postvention.
About Postvention
Postvention is an intentional response designed to support survivors of suicide loss. The goal is to foster healing and build resilience in individuals and communities.
Postvention is also prevention. People who have recently lost someone to suicide can be at increased risk for suicide.
In 2023, 1,239 Virginians died by suicide. Every one of these deaths leaves an estimated six or more “suicide survivors.” This includes family, friends, and other members of their community. Postvention efforts can help individuals navigate a loss and begin to heal.
Postvention efforts can include:
- Developing a postvention plan to prepare your school, workplace, place of worship, or community
- Training in suicide postvention
- Connecting suicide loss survivors to loss groups
- One-on-one counseling provided by a mental health professional
- Other efforts led by suicide loss survivors and communities
New Postvention Efforts in Virginia
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has partnered with Full Circle Grief Center, a Richmond-based nonprofit. They offer free postvention training to help prepare K-12 schools and communities to coordinate a comprehensive response after a suicide loss.
Full Circle Grief Center also offers free in-person and virtual suicide loss groups for those navigating a loss. Mental health professionals lead these groups for eight weeks in the evening.
How You Can Get Involved
- Familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Contact Full Circle Grief Center about their free postvention training and suicide loss groups.
- Link up with a local American Suicide Prevention Foundation Chapter.
- Take part in an Out of the Darkness Walk or start one.
- Volunteer with the Virginia National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- Connect your college and/or K-12 school to the Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia.
- Join the Suicide Prevention Interagency Advisory Group, a multi-partner volunteer collaborative effort. They work to build a connected system of suicide care throughout Virginia.
- Ask your provider or hospital system to connect with the Virginia Zero Suicide Hub.
- Request your local mental health organizations contact the VDH Suicide Systems Project. They offer free training in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality.
- Send Safe Messaging Guidelines to your local news organization.
- Promote dignity through connection. When people feel respected, heard, and valued, they are more likely to seek help and stay connected.
- Learn how to talk about lethal means safety. Lethal means safety is a suicide prevention strategy focused on safe storage of medications and firearms by:
- Taking the free Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training, and
- Accessing free tailored guidelines and resources created by Lock & Talk Virginia.
For More Information
For more information on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, contact the VDH’s Suicide Systems Project.