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Survivor Day To Recognize Suicide Loss

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope.

A local Survivor Day event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phoenix Rising Studio and Wellness Collective at 509 N. Main St. in Jamestown.

For many loss survivors, attending a Survivor Day event is an opportunity to discover that they are not alone in their experience of losing someone they know and love to suicide. The event will feature local resources, peer support, connectedness, healing activities, memorial crafts, meditation, and prayer. Brunch will also be provided through the WNY Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

All those who wish to participate must register prior to the event by visiting afsp.org/survivor–day/jamestown-new-york. The registration link can also be found by searching for the event through The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention Facebook page on the event tab. For those who are unable to attend a Survivor Day event in person, AFSP hosts a Survivor Day program online. If unable to join the live online event, the recorded program will be available on the website afterwards. More information about the online International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event can be found at survivorday.org.

Patricia Brinkman, Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene is a supporter of this event.

“Survivor Day is a way to reinforce that Chautauqua County is a community who cares,” Brinkman said. “Each person can be an inspiration to another, from the sharing of loss to the celebration of life. I hope that the community will show their support by attending the local event in person or by viewing the international event online.”

The local International Survivor Day event has been supported by a local group dedicated to suicide prevention called the Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

“The Community Alliance for Suicide Prevention is a group of dedicated professionals and community members that have come together to recognize the call to action for suicide prevention work in Chautauqua County,” said Victoria Patti, Coordinator of the Alliance. “It is so important that we talk about these concerns and don’t brush them aside and hope they go away. We need to create a community culture in which we feel comfortable in talking about mental health openly and honestly in order to receive the support and resources necessary to work towards wellness. We hope that this continuing partnership with the AFSP serves as a way to reach those who might not have had the opportunity to participate in the past; including others that believe in the cause and would like to contribute to a suicide safer community.”

To learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, visit survivorday.org. For additional information about the local Survivor Day event or The Alliance, contact Victoria Patti at 753-4519 or pattiv@co.chautauqua.ny.us for further details.

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