A community support group highlights the importance of Suicide Prevention Month
Tracee Tuesday
REDMOND, Ore. {KTVZ} — Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, leaving behind not only grief but also unanswered questions for families, friends, and entire communities. Experts say many of these tragedies can be prevented through awareness, support, and open conversations about mental health. September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month—a time for communities, advocates, and organizations to come together, break the stigma around mental health, and remind people that suicide is preventable and healing is possible. One local effort is the Suicide Grief Support Group, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month to provide a safe space for those who have lost loved ones. Loren Petersen, one of the group’s facilitators, says the gatherings are vital for families navigating life after such a loss. “We want people to be able to come and express themselves and talk about their loved ones in a safe space, and to feel like they’re surrounded by people that actually understand this type of loss,” Petersen said. “It can feel very isolating, and we just want to provide that space for people.” For some, that support has been life-changing. Julie Leutschaft lost her 26-year-old son, Kiefer, to suicide on October 3, 2021. “When it first happened, I didn’t know anything about suicide. I had never known anyone who had taken their life personally, and so it was very isolating when it happened to our family,” Leutschaft said. She says the support group gave her a sense of community, helping her move forward in a world that felt disconnected.
The group, she adds, provides not only understanding but also hope—that “normality” can eventually return. For more information about the Suicide Grief Support Group, you can reach out by email at: sgsgoregon@gmail.com.