Offering Care to Parents and Guardians Who Have Lost a Child to Suicide
Losing a child to suicide is an incredibly painful and difficult experience, which is why at Samaritans we offer suicide support groups for parents and guardians coping with such a profound loss. These SafePlace meetings are inclusive, welcoming groups designed specifically for parents and guardians who have lost a child to suicide.
Offering nonjudgmental listening and peer support, these groups are facilitated by trained volunteers who have themselves experienced a similar loss, providing a compassionate and understanding environment. SafePlace is not a professional therapy group; instead, it serves as a peer support forum where participants can explore feelings often not understood by others, share helpful resources, and offer mutual support throughout the long and complex grieving process. These meetings are free, ongoing, and drop-in, available both virtually and in-person to accommodate different needs and preferences.
In Person SafePlace Meetings for Parents and Guardians
3rd Saturday of every month
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Ben Speaks Office
360 Woodland St, 2nd Floor, Holliston, MA 01746
For in-person SafePlace meetings specifically for parents and guardians who have lost a child to suicide, we are proud to partner with Ben Speaks and The Parmenter Foundation to offer these crucial support services.
Everyone is welcome to join our SafePlace meetings at any time after their loss. For some, it may be a few weeks or months before they are ready, while for others, it could be many years. Before joining, we suggest reflecting on the following questions: Am I ready to talk about my loss? Will I be able to share the airtime with others? Will I be comfortable listening to others discuss their losses? If the answer is no, or you’re unsure, we recommend starting with a Survivor to Survivor visit. These visits are private meetings with trained suicide loss survivor volunteers who can provide more individualized support.
Virtual SafePlace Meetings for Parents and Guardians
New in Spring 2024: We launched a virtual group for parents and guardians who have lost a child to suicide in the Spring of 2024.
Beginning March 7, 2024, meetings are held:
1st Thursday of every month
7:00 – 8:30 pm ET
We recognize that you might have reservations about sharing your experience in an online support community. Take a moment to explore our Virtual SafePlace FAQs, designed to address any understandable concerns you may have regarding confidentiality and the dynamics of virtual group interactions.
Request Grief Support Services Form
Samaritans is available to support those who have lost a loved one to suicide. You may contact us to go over the support that is available or use the following form to request a staff person reach out to you. Please know that we will maintain your confidentiality. Samaritans never shares personal information. *Please do not put down anyone’s contact information other than your own. If you’re looking for resources on behalf of someone else, we’re happy to talk with you about what resources are available and how to share them with others.
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“Finding SafePlace and people that truly understand where I’m coming from and understand my pain is very cathartic for me.”
Robert
SafePlace attendee and Council member
SafePlace Meetings for All Suicide Loss Survivors
In Person
We are currently working to identify a new time and location for in-person meetings in the Greater Boston/MetroWest area. Please check back for updates.
Virtual SafePlace Meetings for All Suicide Loss Survivors
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm ET
Register to receive a Zoom meeting invitation with details.
