Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of a Suicide Attempt

Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of a Suicide Attempt

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Program Type

Education/Training

Cost

Yes, $501-$1000

Evidence Type

Empirically Defined Evidence

Strategy

Promote connectedness, Teach coping and problem-solving skills, Lessen harms and prevent future risk

Program or Intervention Summary

As a national leader in the field of suicide prevention, in 2011 Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center started a support group for survivors of suicide attempt(s), addressing a high-priority local need. The support group is an eight-week group for those over 18 years old with a history of at least 1 suicide attempt, that offers a safe, non-judgmental place for people to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide and the impact that their attempt had on their lives. The group provides an opportunity for its participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences, which is an important part of healing. In addition to increasing connectedness, the group includes an emphasis on tools and skills (e.g., coping skills through safety planning) that will help members stay safe from a future suicide attempt. The goals of the program were to maintain participants’ safety and manage risk, reduce internalized/perceived stigma, increase coping skills as they relate to suicide thoughts, and increase connectedness. The outcomes measured used included, were the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck et al., 1974), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (Beck & Steer, 1991), Resilience Appraisals Scale (Johnson et al., 2010), and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (Van Orden et al., 2012), along with an internally developed survey and safety plan measure. The Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of Suicide Attempt(s) serves to guide individuals and organizations in developing and implementing an attempt survivors’ support group in their communities and since 2015, we have trained both national and international agencies. Since making the manual available to download on our website, the manual has been downloaded over 3,112 times in 58 countries.

Program or Intervention Summary

As a national leader in the field of suicide prevention, in 2011 Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center started a support group for survivors of suicide attempt(s), addressing a high-priority local need. The support group is an eight-week group for those over 18 years old with a history of at least 1 suicide attempt, that offers a safe, non-judgmental place for people to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide and the impact that their attempt had on their lives. The group provides an opportunity for its participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences, which is an important part of healing. In addition to increasing connectedness, the group includes an emphasis on tools and skills (e.g., coping skills through safety planning) that will help members stay safe from a future suicide attempt. The goals of the program were to maintain participants’ safety and manage risk, reduce internalized/perceived stigma, increase coping skills as they relate to suicide thoughts, and increase connectedness. The outcomes measured used included, were the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck et al., 1974), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (Beck & Steer, 1991), Resilience Appraisals Scale (Johnson et al., 2010), and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (Van Orden et al., 2012), along with an internally developed survey and safety plan measure. The Manual for Support Groups for Survivors of Suicide Attempt(s) serves to guide individuals and organizations in developing and implementing an attempt survivors’ support group in their communities and since 2015, we have trained both national and international agencies. Since making the manual available to download on our website, the manual has been downloaded over 3,112 times in 58 countries.

Type Education/Training, Screening, Treatment/Services
Setting Online, Community, Health care facility, Mental health facility, Residential facility
People Individuals with Severe Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disturbance (SMI/SED), Survivors of suicide attempt
Prevention Level Prevention, Maintenance
Languages English
Study Method Quantitative
Implementer Requirement Adults, Experts through lived experience, Peer consultants
Training Requirement Yes
Delivery Options In person, Virtual
Topics Reduce risk factors, Promote protective factors, Improve community factors, Improve suicide care (postvention)

Is there a broken link on this page? Let us know!