The Suicide Prevention Resource Centre (SPRC) has always been here for survivors of suicide loss and they organize many opportunities for survivors to connect. For many, attending a Survivor Day event is the first step in gaining comfort and understanding in their loss, and realizing they are not alone. It provides a place for people to openly share and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

Because of the complicated grief of suicide loss and challenges around that, healing can be very difficult. Those bereaved by suicide are aptly referred to as “Survivors” of suicide loss.

Seeing the value in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention initiative, SPRC in Grande Prairie was one of the first communities outside the USA to host one of these events.  Now it is a global connection. Join them as they gather together on November 23.

This year’s documentary, Pathways to Healing: Hope after Suicide Loss, follows the family and friends of Chris Taddeo, a young adult who died by suicide. Together, they show the individual experiences a community of people can have after a shared loss: from confusion and denial, to isolation and finding support. Through their various approaches to grief and healing, each journey shares a message of hope, connection and resilience.

Those in Grande Prairie will be joining others from around the world to take part in this event. November 23rd starting at 10:00 a.m. in the training room on the second floor of Nordic Court. Part of the challenge is reaching the people that an event such as this would benefit and to reassure them that this is a safe place to share, or not, support others, or not, but for sure, to find support and understanding. Survivors, and those who support them, friends, family, co-workers, and agency workers are all welcome.