Column: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

As we enter the month of November, I began thinking about the many losses I have suffered due to death by suicide. The pandemic has caused suicide numbers to increase.

Particularly, here in Aiken County, we have had 28 suicides so far just this year, as of Sept. 10.

A study completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, “During June 24-30, 2020, U.S. adults reported considerably elevated adverse mental health conditions associated with COVID-19. Younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers reported having experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance abuse, and elevated suicidal ideation.”

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an observance event where survivors of suicide loss come together to find hope, peace, and understanding through the shared experience of loss. This year, this day is Nov. 21.

With each individual death, members of the community are left to make some kind of sense of the loss. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides support for these individuals by offering events and seminars.

This year, because of the case of coronavirus, the AFSP is offering something known as “Healing Conversations,” whereas you can complete a form online and request a peer support person who has gone through a similar loss to reach out to you and help walk you through your grief, either through phone conversations or an in-person meet up.

There are many organizations working with survivors of suicide loss this year. Some of our local resources include: Aiken Barnwell Mental Health Center, which is offering both telehealth and in-person services currently; the Overflow Foundation, which is offering survivors of suicide loss support group; and Aurora Pavilion, which offers inpatient and intensive outpatient services.