Suicide Grief 101

Having someone in our lives die by suicide can be one of life’s most painful experiences. The feelings of loss, sadness, loneliness, and even anger experienced after any death are often elevated in suicide grief. This webinar included conversation about defining grief, understanding suicide, and reflections on grief from suicide loss. It also reviewed strategies to support yourself, others, and your community after a suicide loss. This webinar was held with support from The Parmenter Foundation.

Presenter Bio: Steven J. Karaiskos

This webinar was led by Steven J. Karaiskos, Ph.D., founder of Elpis Consulting, Coaching, & Community Building.

Steven is an educator and emotion scientist, a leader in the development of whole child emotional well-being, an advocate for educator well-being, an activist for suicide prevention/awareness & grief, and a dynamic and creative community builder.

A veteran educator with over 23 years of experience, Steven has taught for public and independent schools at every grade level including Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, middle school & high school as well as supporting college/university students and adult learners. Steven is the Founder of Elpis Consulting, Coaching, & Community Building established to help schools, communities, and organizations cultivate restorative environments rooted in fostering hope toward organizational health, community well-being, and individual thriving. Additionally, he facilitates peer grief support groups for those who have had a loss to suicide and is the program director as well on the Board for The Kita Center – a restorative community honoring the lived experience of those impacted by suicide that includes the signature program Camp Kita – a nonprofit summer camp providing support for young people, ages 8-17, who have lost a loved one to suicide. Steven is a consultant with Sea Change Mentoring supporting international schools to ensure that both students and staff have the skills to build relationships and provide safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for relationships to thrive.

A loss to suicide survivor himself, Steven earned his Ph.D. in Psychology, lives in Providence, RI, enjoys writing and Tai Chi, and was most recently the Senior Director of Community Education & Outreach with Samaritans, Inc.

Suicide Grief Resources

Throughout the webinar, the following resources were shared:

Suicide Loss Support Groups

Samaritans SafePlace Groups: We offer in-person and virtual groups for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. We also host an in-person group in partnership with Ben Speaks in Holliston, MA, for parents or guardians who have lost a child to suicide.

Additional Groups from Coping After Suicide