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Suicide loss support group needs leaders

By Jodi Flick

Losing a loved one to suicide is an experience that affects many people in our community. Our local Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group (SOS Group) is the only free and continuously-available resource in the Durham/Chapel Hill area specifically for those who have been through such a tragedy.

Right now, the SOS group is in great need of volunteers to help facilitate our monthly group meeting. We are looking for people who have either experienced a personal loss to suicide (at least two years ago) or who have professional interest in this area – or someone who has both. No experience is necessary – we have a short DVD / trainer’s manual that anyone who is interested can review. The SOS group has two facilitators at each meeting and we try to pair a peer facilitator with a professional facilitator. Anyone who is new would be paired with a current facilitator.  With enough volunteers, no one would need to facilitate more than a few times a year, although the option is open to facilitate more often if you would like.

While the group meetings can be very emotional, they are also incredibly rewarding. The group tends to be small, intimate, and very compassionate with each other. We meet at the United Church of Chapel Hill on Martin Luther King Blvd (former Airport Rd.) from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The group has also been pressing for about a year to meet twice a month instead of once (second and fourth Thursdays), but we cannot do so without more facilitators. If you are interested in helping with this valuable community resource, or if you know of any friends, family, or colleagues who might be, please pass this request on to them.  Also, if you know of anyone who may benefit from being a part of this group, please encourage them to attend one of our support group meetings.

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Jodi Flick at (919) 962-4988 or joflick@email.unc.edu