Support Group Meeting Format

General Information

• Our support group is for those experiencing grief and trauma from losing a loved from suicide or from mental illness. 

• Support group meetings are led by facilitators who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have lost a loved one from suicide or mental illness.  

• We’ve modeled our meetings after other support groups (Addiction Recovery and Self Reliance) sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

• People of all faiths (or no faith) are welcome.

• Our meetings are open and free. No registration needed. 

• Dress is casual. 

• For ages 18+.

• Bring a picture of your loved one to share. 

Meeting Format

• Opening prayer (by a volunteer)

• Guidelines for participating (see below)

• Brief introductions: each person shares their name, where they live, their loved one’s name, their picture, their relationship, and when their loved one passed. 

• Reading and group discussion of the meeting topic(s) and any other topic or question from the group.

• Individual sharing in a round robin: each person has an opportunity to share their story, their loved one's story, or whatever they are experiencing. 

• Closing prayer (by a volunteer)

Guidelines for Participating

• When talking about your loved one who has passed, please refrain from including graphic details or the lethal method used, which can evoke negative emotional reactions in others.

• Speak one at a time, avoiding interrupting when someone is talking.

• Be mindful of how much time you take when sharing, allowing time for other group members to share.

• Refrain from giving unsolicited advice. When advice is requested, share what works for you or has worked for you.

• Feel free to cry; your tears are welcome. You don’t need to apologize for them.

• Feel free to laugh, laughter is welcome too, it’s not disrespecting our loved ones.

• Keep what you see and hear confidential to make this a safe place to share. 

• If you feel the need to leave at any time, please feel welcome to do so. 

• When we talk about suicide, we avoid saying ‘committed suicide’ which carries a negative judgment and doesn't reflect the complexities and underlying factors associated with suicide. The preferred language today is ‘suicide death’ or ‘died by suicide’ or ‘took their life” or ‘died from a mental illness’.