Survivors of Suicide (SOS): Community Care Sessions | Breaking Down Stigma

The SOS (Survivors of Suicide): Community Care Sessions are a peer-led initiative developed through the CMHA-Calgary School of Peer Support, aimed at bringing together individuals who have struggled with suicide personally or have experienced suicide loss. Each session will begin with some non-clinical education, but the bulk of our sessions will include an indigenous model of sharing called the ‘Circle of Voices’. Through compassionate conversation and storytelling, this six-part series offers an accountable, healing space for those impacted by suicide to gather, share, and grow together.

The third session will support peers in exploring the impact stigma has on those whose lives have been touched by suicide, exploring concepts such as ‘disenfranchised grief’ and the ‘emotion iceberg’. Discussing these terms and perspectives in an accountable space, helps to build a supportive and understanding community for those with lived and living experience of suicide.