Grief Resources

Support after suicide loss

Each year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving offers a moment to remember the people we’ve lost to suicide and connect with others who understand. Whether it has been six months or six years since your loss, you are not alone in your grief. You can remember your loved one any day of the year. For some people, having a day set aside makes it easier to reach out, especially during a season that can hold both celebration and isolation. On November 21, and every day of the year, remember that suicide has no single cause. There is no one person or thing to blame. Grief takes many forms, and you can choose the kind of support that feels right for you. Here in the Gunnison Valley, there are people who will sit with you and listen.

10 ways to honor a loved one

Read the 10 ideas

1. Make their favorite meal.
2. Listen to a favorite song or read a favorite book.
3. Light a candle or sparkler.
4. Visit their memorial site.
5. Share a favorite story with a friend.
6. Try a new grief support resource.
7. Take a quiet moment, breathe deeply, and think of their name.
8. Connect with others grieving your loved one.
9. Take a walk, hike, or drive they enjoyed.
10. Write a letter to them or to yourself.

Guides from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Grief support handbooks from Thrive Community Health Network

Events and resources

• AFSP International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day virtual events. Join others affected by suicide loss for conversation, remembrance, and support. Both broadcasts are available on Facebook and YouTube. Times are Mountain Time.
  • Friday, November 20, 2026 at 2 p.m. MT · Día de Esperanza
  • Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 5 p.m. MT · Survivor Day Live
• Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors. Find an online peer community and resources for people grieving a death by suicide.
• Speaking of Suicide: “If Only”. Dr. Stacey Freedenthal writes about guilt and self-blame after a suicide loss and offers ways to respond to those thoughts with compassion.
• Dougy Center: Suicide Loss Resources for Children and Teens. Find age-appropriate grief resources and guidance for the adults supporting children and teens.
• AFSP: 10 Ways to Support a Loved One Who Has Lost Someone to Suicide. Practical ways to listen, offer help, and stay connected after a loss.
• HopeWest Compassionate Hearts. An in-person suicide loss support group that meets monthly in Montrose. Check HopeWest’s group listings for the next meeting.

Looking for local support? SPARC will be starting offerings of the AFSP Suicide Bereavement Support Group in 2027. Contact Jamie at j.hurst@tchnetwork.org if you are interested in attending!