Self-help Group

A support group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide

Meets every Thursday at 6:30pm on the 3rd floor of the Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC.
919-828-0890
Facilitator: Larry Bernstein

Group Meeting Rules

The goals of our support group are to listen to each other express our grief and to educate each other by sharing our experiences and thoughts.

1. All conversations at our meeting are personal and confidential. No information will be shared outside of the room.
2. Our focus will be on those present at the meeting.
3. We will be open, caring, and accepting, willing to admit new people to the group.
4. We may depart from these rules only by consent of the group.
5. It is legal to PASS and not speak. However, if you choose to participate:
   • You will strive to talk in "feeling" language.
   • You will try to talk about the present— what is happening with you now.
   • You will not place anyone in the position of having to defend their feelings. Each person needs to be allowed to speak without interruption.
   • You will not play amateur therapist.

"We are very sorry for the reasons that bring you to this meeting, but we are very happy that you're here because we believe that by being here you can help and be helped by other survivors."

Books/Suggested Reading

Bolton, Iris. My Son...My Son...: A guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide. Atlanta: The Bolton Press, 1983.

Colt, George Howe. The Enigma of Suicide. New York: Summit Books, 1991.

Hewett, John. After Suicide. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1980.

Lukas, Christopher and Seiden, H. Silent Grief. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1987.

Rosof, Barbara D. The Worst Loss: How Families Heal from the Death of a Child. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 1994.

Smolin, Ann and Guinan, J. Healing After the Suicide of a Loved One. New York: Fideside, 1993.

Wrobleski, Adina. Suicide: Survivors A Guide for those Left Behind. Minnesota: Afterwords Publishing, 1991.