My Grief Connection Blog - MY GRIEF CONNECTION

10/15/2020

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day - 21 Nov 2020

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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, Saturday, November 21, 2020

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Saturday, November 21, 2020
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is a special time when survivors of suicide loss can come
together to find compassion, connection, and hope through their shared experience. The day was created
in 1999 when Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the
United States Senate. Also known as Survivor Day, it was designated by the US Congress as a day on
which those affected by suicide loss intentionally join together for a time support and healing.
Survivor Day always lands on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as the fall and winter holidays are
often a challenging and emotion time for suicide loss survivors. The American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention supports hundreds Survivor Day events all over the world.

Find out more information and locate and register for your local Survivor Day events at: https://afsp.org/international-survivors-of-suicide-loss-day

The Treasure Valley Idaho's Survivor Day event will be on November 21, 2020 from 11am - 1pm (MST)
This event is for Survivors of Suicide Loss only.
Register to attend at: https://isosld.afsp.org/idaho/

AFSP Support for Suicide Loss Survivors Flyer

9/20/2020

GRIEF & SUICIDE LOSS speech from THE 2ND ANNUAL STRENGTH 2 THRIVE WALK-A-THON FOR SUICIDEPREVENTION AND AWARENESS

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My grief connection founder, sara Cobb, sPEaks ABOUT GRIEF & SUICIDE LOSS AT THE
2ND ANNUAL STRENGTH 2 THRIVE WALK-A-THON FOR SUICIDE
PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

9/14/2020

2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Overnight Walk-a-Thon for Suicide Prevention & Awareness - 19 Sept 2020

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2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Overnight Walk-a-Thon for Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Each year over 40,000 people in the United States complete suicide. Even more attempt it.
Idaho’s suicide rate is consistently 50% higher than the national average.
Strength 2 Thrive is aiming to raise public awareness & raise $200,000 for the Idaho Suicide Hotline.

Donations raised for Strength 2 Thrive will go to Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. Your gift is tax-deductible
and Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline will issue you a gift receipt following the event.

The 2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Walk-a-Thon will kick off at 8:00 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2020.
General event festivities and team set up will begin at 7:00 pm.

Team members will take turns walking throughout the night, until 8:00 am on Monday, September 20, 2020.
There will be music & special speakers presenting during the event. The event will follow COVID-19 safely guidelines and will be held outside with over 3-acres space for lots of social distancing. Wearing masks is recommended. Participants and supporters are encouraged to bring their own tents, chairs, blankets, snacks, etc.

Forge International School
208 S. Hartley Lane
Middleton, ID 83644

The following local food & beverage vendors will be on hand:
Fly Wings
Wepa
Wok n Roll
Shiver n' Steam
Double Decker Espresso

Strength 2 Thrive is being coordinated and hosted by Rhythm & Grace Counseling:
Owner: Chad Hanson
4 Ogden Ave. Nampa Idaho 83651
Phone: 208-505-4314
rhythmandgracecounseling@gmail.com
www.RhythmAndGraceCounseling.com

Visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Strength-2-Thrive-2428587897376568/

Visit the Facebook Event at: https://tinyurl.com/strength2thrive2020

7/1/2020

2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Overnight Walk-a-Thon for Suicide Prevention & Awareness

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2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Overnight Walk-a-Thon for Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Each year over 40,000 people in the United States complete suicide. Even more attempt it.
Idaho’s suicide rate is consistently 50% higher than the national average.
Strength 2 Thrive is aiming to raise public awareness & raise $200,000 for the Idaho Suicide Hotline.

Donations raised for Strength 2 Thrive will go to Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline. Your gift is tax-deductible
and Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline will issue you a gift receipt following the event.

The 2nd Annual Strength 2 Thrive Walk-a-Thon will kick off at 8:00 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2020.
General event festivities and team set up will begin at 7:00 pm.
Team members will take turns walking through out the night, until 8:00 am on Monday, September 20, 2020.
There will be music & special speakers presenting during the event.
Proper social distancing and COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

Forge International School
208 S. Hartley Lane
Middleton, ID 83644

The following local food & beverage vendors will be on hand:
Slay the Snow
Fly Food Truck
Buy It Ice Cream
Lonnie C’s Doughnuts
Rusty Dog Corn Dogs
Double Decker Espresso

Strength 2 Thrive is being coordinated and hosted by Rhythm & Grace Counseling:
Owner: Chad Hanson
4 Ogden Ave. Nampa Idaho 83651
Phone: 208-505-4314
rhythmandgracecounseling@gmail.com
www.RhythmAndGraceCounseling.com

Visit the Facebook Event at: https://tinyurl.com/strength2thrive2020

Sign Up to Walk with My Grief Connection's Team:

Go to www.Strength2Thrive.org
Click register. Join my team, My Grief Connection, create a team of your own or ask to be assigned a team.
Find sponsors, and raise funds to save lives.

Sponsor Me with Your Tax Deductible Donation:

Go to https://strength2thrive.org/donations/sara-cobb/
Donate to save lives.

5/13/2020

Suicide Survivor Grief - Life After LossOnline Event Hosted By EricsHouse.org

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Suicide Survivor Grief - Life After Loss, Monday, May 18, 2020, 5:30pm (PT)

Suicide Survivor Grief - Life After Loss
Online Event Hosted By EricsHouse.org
Join Guest Speaker Jill McMahon, LPC and Board Member at EricsHouse,
and Loss Survivor Marianne Gouveia (Eric’s Mom) on
Monday, May 18, 2020, at 5:30 PM (PST)
for a candid discussion of suicide loss and what the healing journey
looks likes from the perspective of a counselor who is an expert in suicide
loss and trauma, and from a mother who lost a son to suicide after a long
struggle with addiction. You will learn how surviving a suicide loss is
possible, how healthy approaches to stigma and be used,
and ways to help yourself with healing along the way.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT.
Register at: https://www.ericshouse.org/events/

5/1/2020

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH - May 2020

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, You Are Not Alone!

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and thank goodness for that! Our mental health is
being challenged in a huge way with the COVID-19 pandemic, on top of all of the regular stressors
and issues that we deal with on a daily basis.

Whether we have diagnosed mental illness or not, it is critical for us all to manage and support our
mental health. It matters so much! We must continue to talk about mental health, share our stories,
raise awareness, educate others, get help ourselves and give help when we can.

Let's start the conversation and work to end the stigma around mental illness so we can be there
for each other in ways that are real and meaningful.

If you are struggling please reach out for support.

Here are some resources to help:

The Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7 crisis counseling, via text. Just text SHARE to 741741 to reach them.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline gives 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, call 1-800-273-8255.

Depression & Crisis Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433.

Veterans Crisis Line, call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or Text 838255.

Emotional Health Relief Hotline, caregivers available 10am-10pm MST, 1-833-442-2211.

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, 24/7, call 208-398-HELP (4357).

The Crisis Hotline, Serving Southern and Southeastern Idaho, 24/7, call 208-788-3596.

Idaho COVID-19 Hotline, call 1-888-330-3010, Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm.

Ambitions of Idaho 24 Hour Crisis Intervention Line, call 208-794-2379.

For more mental health & crisis help resources visit: https://www.mygriefconnection.org/crisishelp.html

2/25/2020

Know the 5 Signs - 08 Apr 2020

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Know the 5 Signs
April 8, 2020 from 4:30 - 5:30pm
Nampa Public Library, 215 12th Ave. South, Nampa, Idaho 83651

Know the 5 Signs is a 45-minute presentation designed to build the
community’s understanding of the many ways that suicide impacts our
friends, families, clients, co-workers, and neighbors. Know the 5 Signs provides
education on recognizing when someone is in emotional distress and how
to reach out to help and connect them to resources. It also covers
information about stigma, understanding mental health conditions,
statistics, self-care techniques, etc.

Join Erin Pfaeffle, LMSW of St. Luke's Wood River Valley for this potentially
life-saving presentation for adults 18+ on April 8, 2020 from 4:30-5:30 pm
in Multipurpose Room A at Nampa Public Library. There will be crafts,
games coloring and other fun activities for kids in Multipurpose Room B
at the same time so parents can attend while their kids are in the room next door.

https://www.facebook.com/events/284132922546849/

2/24/2020

The Griddle Gives (Idaho) - 25 Feb 2020

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The Griddle Gives poster, A Portion of Sales Will Be Donated to The Speedy Foundation, February 25, 2020

The Griddle Gives (Idaho)
February 25, 2020 from 7:00am - 2pm
At all four "The Griddle" restaurant locations in the Treasure Valley

All four locations of The Griddle in the Treasure Valley will be collecting donations to support the work of
The Speedy Foundation on February 25th, from 7:00am - 2:00pm. A portion of all sales will be donated to
The Speedy Foundation. Please swing by, treat yourself to a yummy breakfast, and
help support our work to prevent suicide and raise awareness for mental health.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2701982739847905/

1/28/2020

Know the 5 Signs - 08 Apr 2020

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Know the 5 Signs
Nampa Public Library, 215 12th Ave S., Nampa, Idaho 83651
April 8, 2020 from 4:30-5:30 pm in Multipurpose Room A

Know the 5 Signs is a 45-minute presentation designed to
build the community’s understanding of the many ways that suicide impacts our friends, families, clients, co-workers,
and neighbors.

Know the 5 Signs provides education on recognizing when someone is in emotional distress and how to reach out to help and connect them to resources. It also covers information about stigma, understanding mental health conditions, statistics,
self-care techniques, etc.

Join Erin Pfaeffle, LMSW of St. Luke's Wood River Valley for this potentially life-saving presentation for adults 18+ on April 8, 2020 from 4:30-5:30 pm in Multipurpose Room A.

There will be crafts, games coloring and other fun activities for kids in Multipurpose Room B at the same time so parents can attend while their kids are in the room next door.

https://nampalibrary.libcal.com/event/6350251
https://www.facebook.com/events/284132922546849/

1/18/2020

Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit: July 30 - August 2, 2020

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Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit
July 30 - August 2, 2020
Hilton Downtown Cleveland - Cleveland, OH

This summer, join fellow long-term survivors of suicide loss for a weekend of connection, learning and empowerment. This is the only conference of its kind, focusing solely on the needs of those whose loss took place long enough ago that they feel ready to gain new perspective on their grief journey. The conference will feature workshops, expert-led discussions, and social activities exploring how grief evolves over time.

https://afsp.org/our-work/loss-healing/long-term-survivors-of-suicide-loss-summit/?fbclid=IwAR3KtSivaEzc6eq0veqAPQyNJ_aiuCDy4MWcnAkd83PNVJ3l2d8F-TGWupc

12/19/2019

Dealing With Depression: A Resource Guide

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Picture of Women in the Fetal Position Looking Sad and Depressed

The "Dealing With Depression: A Resource Guide" is from The Recovery Village Columbus has a wide selection of some of the best websites, organizations and other helpful resources available to anyone who has been diagnosed with or suspects they are suffering from depression.

https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/depression-resource-guide/

For a links to many more grief related resources visit the "Misc. Grief Resources"
page at www.mygriefconnection.org

12/7/2019

Advancing Through Adversity

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Kelli Barthelemy, Founder of UnstuckLife and Advancing Through Adversity

Advancing Through Adversity System - The Grief Guru
Kelli Nielsen, The Grief Guru, birthed the Advancing Through Adversity
program out of her own personal grief and loss. She unexpectedly lost her mother to suicide, and then a year and a half later, lost her son to an accidental drug overdose. She's also been through bankruptcy and divorce. The Advancing Through Adversity online course provides in depth training to teach you how to get to the root of your pain and grief with
NO medication, NO support groups and NO expensive therapy sessions.

To purchase the course through my Affiliate Link, click here:
https://thegriefguru.teachable.com?affcode=468020_8tvky9n4

11/23/2019

If I Could Fly - FREE drama production presented by ISWAG Theater - 06/07 December 2019

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If I Could Fly - FREE drama production presented by ISWAG Theater
The Journey, 9105 W Overland Rd,
Boise, Idaho 83709, Boise
If I Could Fly is poignant play, written and directed by Greyson Snodgrass, dealing with the mental health struggles so prevalent in society today. The characters face their personal struggles with anxiety, depression
and suicide and find that, in the end, they are not alone. Despite how they feel, there is always hope. Admission to all performances is FREE, but
donations will be cheerfully accepted!

Dec 6th at 7pm, Dec 7th at 1pm & Dec 7th at 4pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/436139017002712/
https://allevents.in/boise/if-i-could-fly-drama-production/200018102504355

11/19/2019

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event at boise Public Library - 23 November 2019

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International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 23, 2019

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Event
Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Idaho Chapter

November 23, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Boise Public Library, 715 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, Idaho 83702
You are not alone. Join a community of suicide loss survivors and share stories of hope and healing. Each year, the AFSP supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world, in which suicide loss survivors come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience. While each event is unique and offers various programming, all feature an AFSP produced documentary that offers a message of growth, resilience and connection.

This is a FREE event!
2:00 pm: Check-In Opens
2:30 pm: Watch Film, Keynote Speaker & Remembrance Activity
3:00 - 4:30 pm: Dinner & Connect with Others

Contact: rubie.home@gmail.com
https://afsp.org/survivor_day/meridian-idaho/
https://afsp.org/survivorday