 IMPACT Suicide Conference 2024
September 13, 2024, from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT The 2024 IMPACT Suicide Conference is coming up with a focus on Digital Lifelines: Building Resiliency & Awareness. This FREE half-day virtual conference will be held on Zoom on September 13, 2024, from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT. This event is a vital opportunity for community members and professionals to learn resources and methods to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide. Did you know that, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. as of 2022? With an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts in the same year, it’s clear that we must act. The conference will bring together impactful speakers who will share personal experiences, educate through data-driven insights, and lead breakout sessions tailored for parents, nursing and mental health professionals, community members, and students. A key highlight will be a forum on accessing local and national resources. The IMPACT Suicide Conference, a volunteer-driven initiative by the Madison County (IL) Mental Health Alliance, has been making a difference since 2020. Each year, the conference centers on the goal of preventing suicide in all communities, reminding us that it takes all of us working together to achieve this mission. Learn more and register at www.impactsuicide.net
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The Power of Love Show from the Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation (DDJF) is dedicated to supporting children who have experienced loss and trauma, empowering them to live healthy and joyful lives. Through their flagship program, "The Power of Love Show," hosted by TJ and Taj Jackson, DDJF provides a platform for open conversations about grief, healing, and mental health. The foundation also offers resources, educational initiatives, and community support to help children and families navigate the challenges of loss. To learn more about their mission, access valuable resources, or get involved, visit ddjf.org or follow their journey on social media. On this episode of The Power of Love Show Sara J. Cobb, founder of ‘My Grief Connection’, shares with hosts TJ and Taj Jacksoon about how her passion for grief and mental health education stems from a blend of personal interests, strengths and transformative life experiences.  Suicide Prevention Week
September 10-16, 2023 September is Suicide Prevention Month in the USA, with National Suicide Prevention Week from September 10-16, 2023, and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. During this month, week and day, individuals and organizations will be drawing attention to the problem of suicide and advocating the prevention of this tragedy. It’s a time to share resources and stories and promote suicide prevention awareness. All around the nation, suicide prevention organizations will conduct prevention and awareness events. In 2021, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34. Suicide is a national health crisis. Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or background. Suicide is sometimes the result of a mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the Idaho Crisis & Suicide Hotline. Even $5 or $10 would make a difference and could help save lives! To donate, visit www.idahocrisis.org/donate. If you or a loved one need to talk, call ICSH now. You don't have to be suicidal to call. Someone is always here for you on the other end of the line. Call or text 988 or visit www.idahocrisis.org to chat online. 2/25/2023 Survivors of Murder-Suicide Support Group for residents of Florida and Georgia - Starting April 2023Read Now Survivors of Murder-Suicide Support Group for residents of Florida and Georgia
Starting April 2023 No one should have to suffer the violent loss of a loved one alone. The Georgia Commission on Family Violence is hosting a Survivors of Murder-Suicide Support Group for residents of Florida and Georgia starting in April 2023. If you have lost a loved one to the tragedy of murder-suicide this is a supportive network for assistance to help cope with your grief. The closed group is free to attend and led by a licensed clinician. The group will run for 10 sessions and will meet virtually for your convenience. Register today for a confidential pre-screening meeting with a licensed clinician to see if joining this support group is right for you. This group is only available to survivors residing in Georgia and Florida at this time. Visit www.gcfv.ga.gov/ssms for more info and additional referrals to clinicians trained in grief support. 12/23/2022 Healing Through the Holidays After Suicide Loss:Tips For Navigating The Holiday Season Your Way - Video ReplayRead NowHealing Through the Holidays After Suicide Loss: Tips For Navigating The Holiday Season Your Way This video interview is hosted by Carolin Brookings, a suicide bereavement coach, and features her interview with Sara J. Cobb, founder of My Grief Connection Key Points From This Chat: - Find out how you can go through the Holiday season without your person - Understand how you can honor yourself and what your self-care routine can look like during the Holidays - Hear tips to help you navigate the festive period while you're grieving Caro Brookings is a Certified NeuroCoach and suicide bereavement coach. She uses brain-based, science-backed methods, as well as drawing from her vast experience, to support her clients in finding inner peace and even joy again - for good. Connect with Caro at https://suicidebereavementcoaching.com/ Sara J. Cobb is the Founder of My Grief Connection, a hub of grief resources and a growing support community. My Grief Connection aims to empower grievers to find resources, connect to community, and grow hope, by guiding them toward their personal healing path. Sara felt called to connect fellow grievers with resources to find hope and healing after loss following the tragic deaths of her two older brothers, 43 years apart – one by a freak accident and one in a murder-suicide. In the fall of 2021, she returned to university to pursue a Master's of Science in Counseling Education with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling in grief, crisis, and trauma. Sara is also the co-leader of a virtual support group for survivors of murder-suicide loss. Connect with Sara at https://www.mygriefconnection.org/ Feel free to share the video link with anyone you think will benefit from watching it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0NEcAmxfEA  National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month
November 20th - December 20th Approximately every 32.1 minutes, someone is murdered in the United States. With raising national homicide rates, support for families impacted by violence and awareness of the impact of homicide in our communities is needed now more than ever. November 20th marked the beginning of National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM). Enacted in 2000, SHVAM offers an opportunity to educate the public and policymakers about the effect that murder has on families and communities, and uplift the peace-building efforts of survivors. SHVAM provides a dedicated space around the holiday season for survivors to gather in community and celebrate and honor their loved ones. Let's fight to bring awareness this month to the loved ones we have lost. To find resources and support for survivors of homicide loss, reach out to these organizations: Louis D. Brown Peace Institute - www.ldbpeaceinstitute.org Homicide Survivors Inc. - www.homicidesurvivorsinc.org Utah Homicide Survivors - www.utahhomicidesurvivors.org Chicago Survivors - www.chicagosurvivors.org/ VictimConnect Resource Center - www.victimconnect.org DC Victim Hotline - www.DCvictim.org Justice for Homicide Victims - www.justiceforhomicidevictims.org Crime Victims Treatment Center (NYC) - www.cvtcnyc.org 6/27/2022 Healing After Suicide Summit: Finding Hope After Losing Someone to Suicide - July 2022Read Now Healing After Suicide Summit: Finding Hope After Losing Someone to Suicide
July 11th through the 24th at 8:00 AM MTN / 7:00 AM PST Save-the-dates: July 11th - 24th, because my friend Crystal Partney is hosting the Healing After Suicide Summit! Crystal is going to offer: * What you can do today to begin healing * Guides who’s been in your shoes * Someone to walk alongside you throughout your journey toward healing Here's what you can expect in your inbox each day throughout the summit: * Learn how to begin the healing process * Know that you are not alone in your healing path * Find tools and resources that will help you begin healing today My guess is that it would be worth your while to block out time to listen to the speaker sessions for this summit. Don’t worry, each session is only about 20 minutes long. I know I won't miss it. I’ll see you there! Register for FREE at: https://scatteringhope1.clickfunnels.com/opt-in1636216980107 4/17/2022 FREE Online Summit: Healing After Suicide Loss: How To Let Go Of Your Guilt,Find Peace And Move Forward One Day At A Time: May 2 - 6, 2022Read Now FREE Online Summit: Healing After Suicide Loss: How To Let Go Of Your Guilt,
Find Peace And Move Forward One Day At A Time: May 2 - 6, 2022 Join host, and suicide bereavement coach, Caro Brookings, and these featured speakers: Carey Conley & Laurel Wilson - Authors and Vision Experts Jill Cowan - Co-Founder of Healing To The Max Kelli Nielsen - Founder of The Grief Guru Lisa K Boehm - Author Marianne Gouveia - Founder of EricsHouse Melissa Bottorff-Arey - Podcast Host and Author Rita Schulte - Licensed Professional Board Certified Counselor Sara J. Cobb - Founder of My Grief Connection Tracy Oeser - Founder of Journey Thru Grief Do you feel overwhelming guilt about the suicide of your loved one because you should have done “this” and you could have done “that”? Do you keep thinking about why your loved one took their life? Or maybe you knew your loved one was struggling and you were still unable to save them? You are not alone, and you do not have to suffer in silence. If you have been longing to let go of your guilt after losing your loved one to suicide…then you should sign up for the Healing After Suicide Loss interview series. My friend Caro Brookings has brought together 20+ top experts, authors and support providers from the suicide grief and loss space for this free interview series on how to let go of your guilt, find peace and move forward one day at a time. When your loved one has died by suicide, you don’t have the time or the energy to scour the internet and find some of the fantastic resources that are out there available to you. Maybe you have tried some advice that you’ve heard somewhere and you felt a little better for a while, only to be back at square one the next day. So you sit there alone, feeling sad and anxious, and you wonder if you will ever feel happy again. Here’s what I believe: We don’t move on after suicide loss, but you can move forward if you work through your grief. Because time alone doesn’t heal all wounds - it’s important what you do with your time. You should know it is possible for you too to let go of your guilt and find peace. You just need to know the right steps to take. That’s why I am so grateful for the Healing After Suicide Loss interview series. It’s 5 days of tried and tested advice and encouragement from top experts from around the world to help YOU move forward with your life. It’s free, but you have to save your seat to get access. Be sure to catch my session on May 2nd! Claim your ticket to the online event at: https://interviews.healingaftersuicideloss.org/sara 12/15/2021 Let's (NOT) Talk About It Podcast - Season 2, Episode 6 - Left Behind: A Story of Murder SuicideRead Now Let's (NOT) Talk About It Podcast - Season 2, Episode 6
Left Behind: A Story of Murder Suicide Sara Cobb is, unfortunately, no stranger to death and grief. Her oldest brother, Stephen, died as a child when he climbed up a power pole. He was electrocuted while his younger brother, Skyler, helplessly watched. Skyler was never the same after that. Decades later, Sara received a call that Skyler and his fiancée had died in a murder-suicide. This unimaginable tragedy led Sara to learn about grief counseling, mental health and trauma in order to help others. She formed the first-ever support group for murder-suicide survivors -- a club no one wants to belong to, as she puts it. The episode is available to listen to on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Follow Let's (NOT) Talk About It on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LNTalkaboutit Visit the Let's (NOT) Talk About It website at: https://letsnottalkaboutit.com/  It was such an honor and joy for our founder, Sara Cobb, to be a recent guest on the
"The Resilience of Grieving Podcast" with host Melo Garcia of After Chloe Melo and Sara had a heartfelt conversation about grief, faith, family, and love. Sara shared about the traumatic losses of her two older brothers and how her grief drove her to launch My Grief Connection and the only known support group specifically for murder-suicide loss survivors in the US. The episode is now live and available to listen to on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, in time for the end of Suicide Prevention & Awareness month. They spoke about some sensitive topics include the death of a child, murder-suicide loss, and trauma, so please use your discretion about whether or not to listen. Follow After Chloe on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AfterChloe Visit the After Chloe website at: https://afterchloe.com/ 8/24/2021 3rd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Walkathon Supports the Idaho Suicide Prevention HotlineRead Now 3rd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Walkathon Supports the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline Nampa, Idaho – The 3rd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Suicide Prevention Walkathon will kick off promptly at 8:00 PM on September 11, 2021, with general festivities and team set-up at 7:00 PM at Columbia High School in Nampa, Idaho. (301 S. Happy Valley Road). All ages are welcome to come for a few hours or to stay all night long! Idaho is consistently ranked in the top 10 states for suicide deaths every year. If ever there was a time to focus on suicide prevention, it is now! Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health needs are escalating drastically. During the second quarter of 2021, which ended in June, the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline received 49% more calls than it did in the second quarter of 2020. This number is a significant increase in those recognizing that they are struggling and need support. Thankfully, in Idaho, we are committed as a community to stand by those who are struggling. In September, during National Suicide Prevention Month, Strength 2 Thrive provides space for the community to come together in solidarity and support with those suffering from suicidal thoughts or the grief from the loss of a loved one to suicide. The event has raised nearly $70,000 for the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline in the previous two years. The walkathon is an uplifting community gathering intended to raise awareness around suicide, offer support for those suffering from suicidal thoughts or attempts, and comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide. There will be live local music and speakers throughout the night, a memorial garden of remembrance, and food trucks serving refreshments. During this family-friendly, outdoor event, folks of all ages will walk around the track during the hours that suicide rates are at their highest, showing their emotional support for those who are suffering. Donations are tax-deductible and will benefit the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, helping to save lives! Register to walk and raise funds, or donate to support others who are walking, at www.strength2thrive.org. For questions or more information, email Jennifer Haagenson at [email protected].  Help spread the light to those who are hurting, struggling, and lonely.
So many suffer alone in silence with their dark thoughts. Let's show them that we care and there is hope that they can get to a better, brighter place in life. Come participate in the 3rd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Suicide Prevention Walkathon & Community Event on September 11, 2021, at Columbia High School in Nampa, Idaho. The community will gather to raise awareness about suicide prevention and postvention, and we will support those who are suffering from suicidal thoughts and/or attempts, mental health issues, and grief from the loss of a loved one to suicide. Pull together your friends, family, co-worker to join you, as we all walk throughout the night in support and solidarity with those who need us. Teams are challenged to raise $5,000 in donations for the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. Individuals are welcome to participate as well. All the funds raised will be put to good use and will help save lives. There will be live local music, speakers, a garden of remembrance & food trucks. This is a family-friendly event and all ages are welcome! Let's illuminate the darkness and spread light, love & hope far and wide! Learn more and sign up today at http://strength2thrive.org/ To donate to the My Grief Connection team, Alive 2 Thrive, visit: https://strength2thrive.org/donations/sara-cobb/ Follow @strength2thrive_walk on Instagram and Like the Strength 2 Thrive Facebook Page for updates. 8/16/2021 2021 Healing After Suicide Loss Interview Series, hosted by Carolin Brookings, with Sara J. CobbRead NowIf you missed my interview with Carolin Brookings on the Healing After Suicide Loss series, you can now watch it on my YouTube Channel! While you are there, be sure to subscribe to be alerted when new videos are added! I'd love to know what your main takeaways from the interview are. Drop them in the comments below! 2021 Healing After Suicide Loss Interview Series, hosted by Carolin Brookings, with Sara J. Cobb
Sara J. Cobb – founder of My Grief Connection and murder-suicide loss survivor. Sara’s passion and advocacy for grief and mental health education grew from a combination of her interests, strengths, and life experiences. She was called to connect fellow grievers with resources for healing after her own trauma of loss, following the tragic deaths of her two older brothers, 43 years apart – one by a freak accident and one in a murder-suicide. She finds meaning by sharing her story of mending from the wounds of sibling and suicide bereavement and guiding others toward tools and resources that offer hope and healing after loss. Here’s what you can expect from Sara’s interview…Supporting Survivors After Murder-Suicide Loss. - Sara shares what it was like to lose her brother in a murder-suicide - Find out about the ways in which murder-suicide loss survivors can get support - Sara talks about the support group for murder-suicide loss survivors that she is co-leading To learn more about Sara and My Grief Connection, visit www.mygriefconnection.org.  Meet-Up for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss
You are not alone. After murder-suicide loss survivors may feel isolated and stigmatized. This peer-led group was founded to provide hope and collectively support each other through this rare type of loss which, unfortunately, is an everyday occurrence in the United States. They welcome all survivors of murder-suicide loss, regardless of their relationship to those who died. They emphasize welcoming all kinds of survivors of this type of loss as they understand, for many people, you cannot “choose sides.” The loss of multiple people after this type of suicide loss is incredibly complex to navigate. Survivors include, but are not limited to, the following circumstances: sibling and/or step-sibling loss, parental and/or step-parental loss, child or step-child loss, spouse, ex-spouse, partner or ex-partner loss, in-law loss, friend loss, witnesses of murder-suicide with or without direct connections to the victim and/or perpetrator, and attempted murder-suicide survivors. This peer led group is a hybrid traditional support group and action group. They welcome those interested in either, or both. Their 90 minute format is conveniently divided to accommodate attendees with interests in traditional support and/or advocacy. Brittany Noble McCarthy and Sara Cobb are survivors of murder-suicide loss and the co-founders of this unique support network which launched in 2020 and today has connected survivors across the country. The group meets every other Friday via Zoom at 5:00 PM PST/8:00 PM EST. Contact Brittany at brittanynoblemccarthy@gmail.com or Sara at mygriefconnection@outlook.com if you would like more information. They ask all attendees to complete an initial phone or video call with one of the group leaders to ensure the environment is a good fit and to ensure the safety and privacy of all group members. Prerequisites for group participation: - Must be 18 years of age or older - Must be currently in professional counseling/therapy, actively seeking professional counseling/therapy, or have a willingness to professional counseling/therapy in the future - Must be willing to share contact information with the group leads for emergency use only Check out the group profile at: https://grief.com/grief-support-group-directory/  FREE Healing After Suicide Loss Masterclass Series
July 26 - August 8, 2021 If you want to finally heal after losing your loved one to suicide and move forward with your life, then you should sign up for the Healing After Suicide Loss interview series. My friend Caro Brookings handpicked 25+ top experts, authors and support providers from the suicide grief and loss space for this free interview series on how to find peace, make life liveable again and move forward one day at a time. I am so grateful to be part of this FREE 14-day interview series, and I can’t wait to share my wisdom with you! Healing After Suicide Loss starts on July 26. Don’t miss out! Register to save your seat at: https://interviewseries.healingaftersuicideloss.org/sara Speaking of Grief Facebook Live Series
My Grief Connection founder, Sara Cobb, will be LIVE on the Speaking of Grief: Grief Support Facebook page on June 3, 2021 at 8:00PM EST, with Nancy Green, for Part 3 of a 4 part series exploring childhood trauma, sibling loss and murder-suicide. Due to mature subject matter, viewer discretion is advised. If you miss it, don't worry you can watch all parts of the series in the replay on the Facebook page. Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/speakingofgrief  Speaking of Grief Facebook Live Series: Part 2 of 4 My Grief Connection founder, Sara Cobb, will be LIVE on the Speaking of Grief: Grief Support Facebook page on May 18th at 8:00PM EST, with Nancy Green, for Part 2 of a 4 part series exploring childhood trauma, sibling loss and murder-suicide. Due to mature subject matter, viewer discretion is advised. If you miss it, don't worry you can watch all parts of the series in the replay on the Facebook page. Join us on Facebook at: facebook.com/speakingofgrief Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Share How You Can Help Support  Check out the terrific new post on Brittany Noble McCarthy's blog,
"Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Share How You Can Help Support," at https://brittanynoblemccarthy.com/survivors-of-murder-suicide-loss-share-how-you-can-help-support/ Brittany Noble McCarthy is a writer and advocate for two largely misunderstood areas: the life of military families and survivors of murder-suicide loss. In addition to pieces published with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and The Kentucky Derby Museum. Brittany is the co-founder of a murder-suicide loss support group, along with fellow survivor My Grief Connection founder Sara J. Cobb, and has connected with survivors across the country. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Communication, and is a certified Peer Mentor with TAPS. Brittany has participated in numerous grief and suicide workshops with TAPS and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She has also connected with leading researchers in the field of suicidology and community violence. This new post was co-written by several murder-suicide loss survivors, including Brittany & Sara, with the intent of helping educate those in survivors’ support systems. In it, they share what would have been most helpful – and what was not helpful – after their initial loss. They have joined in a single voice that they hope reflects anyone who has experienced the tragic loss of a loved one to murder-suicide or any sensationalized, traumatic loss. They cannot and do not speak for all survivors, but if you are a survivor of murder-suicide loss, they hope you know you are not alone. If you are a survivor of murder-suicide loss and are interested in connecting with other survivors for support and/or direction to resources, please reach out to either Brittany or Sara via email for information about their Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Virtual Support Group. This private support group meets twice monthly via Zoom to share our stories, encourage and support one another. |
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