Today is International Survivors of Suicide Day 2013 (ISOS), which allows survivors to focus on the efforts they
have made to honor their loved one(s), hear each others’ stories and learn from experts the ways we can continue to grow and cope. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ISOS Day started in 1999 when Senator Harry Reid, a survivor of his father’s suicide, introduced a new resolution to the United States Senate. With its passing, the US Congress designated the Saturday before American Thanksgiving as National Survivors of Suicide Day, a day in which friends and family of those who have died by suicide can join together for healing and support. In recognition of suicide’s worldwide impact and that sites are organized on every continent, the program is called International Survivors of Suicide Day.”
Should you wish to participate in some of the activities that are going on today, The American Foundation for 
Suicide Prevention is hosting an online chat and has also posted several videos you can watch. Additionally, you can visit their ISOS Day page to find local events in your area. One year, I attended an event in Milwaukee, which included a reading of the (cute) book Tear Soup and a discussion about what it means to us. That was exactly what I needed at that early point in my grief journey and I still refer back to the book now and then. It brought me comfort to know we were all there under similar circumstances. It also took me back to the happy times of my childhood library story hour, which was very soothing.
What Does It Mean to Be a Survivor of Suicide?
ISOS Day is also a time to celebrate ourselves as survivors. I recently wrote about What it Means to Be a Survivor of Suicide. In the post, I said, “Survivors have endured one of the most senseless and devastating events that can ever happen. Yet, through this tragedy, a stronger, more humble and empathetic person can emerge. This is the proud survivor of suicide that I consider myself today, though it certainly took time.” You can read more about Jessica, Lindsay and my stories here.
I also wanted to highlight additional survivor stories, which are being shared today:
- Anne DiNoto, organizer of Suicide Survivor Day lost multiple family members and was featured on the Huffington Post
- Jacob Moore, founder of NØSTIGMAS lost his dad when very young
- Melissa D’Arabian, Food Network star and cookbook author lost her mom and was recently featured on our blog
- In our “Voices of Other Survivors” category, we also have posted from those who have submitted their stories to us
Have you participated in any events today? Do you plan to?
If you would like to share your story with us today, we would be happy to post it!
Be well*
