Suicide Survivors Support
Suicide survivors go through some of the same grief process as other people do, except they have additional unique problems due in part to the stigma that accompanies the death of a loved by suicide. In suicide survivor support groups we learn from and reassure each other through sharing experiences and feelings. We discover that what we are experiencing and feeling are normal responses any person would have in our circumstances.
Although groups often meet in churches where space is given, there is no religious orientation, because suicide survivors come from all religions and beliefs. The leaders are all survivors who are skilled facilitators, not therapists. There is no charge for attending a group.
One cannot work through grief quickly or “get over” it easily. We recommend that you attend a group regularly for a while to help you through the worst of your grief. Some, feeling unresolved or delayed grief, begin participating in a support group years after their loss.
Minnesota Suicide Survivor Grief Support Groups
(Please phone first to confirm dates/times; current as of May, 2010)
Bemidji
North Country Regional Hospital, 1300 Anne Street NW
Marcy LaCroix - 218-333-3953
Stephanie Downey - 218-751-4332
2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30-9 p.m.
Burnsville
Mary Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Rd.
Park in West parking lot, enter main door, look for sign
Toni Wetzel - 952-890-0122
Shirley Pelant - 952-894-4093
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Coon Rapids
Mercy Hospital, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd.
Jackie Sandusky - 763-506-7024
Every Monday, 7-9 p.m.
Duluth
St. Mary's Medical Center, 407 E. 3rd St.
Ben Wolfe, Jane Hovland, Phyllis LIndberg - 218-786-4402
3rd Mon. monthly, 7-8:30 p.m.
Edina
Men's Breakfast Group @ Pearson's Family Restaurant, 3808 W. 50th St., Edina
Larry Turner - 612-922-5830
Don Sandberg - 763-544-7315
2nd Saturday each month, 8:30-10 a.m.
Elk River
Elk River High School, 900 School Street, Rm. 140H
Mark and Linda Steinberg - 763-786-2112
2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Faribault
District 1 Hospital, 200 State Ave. S. E., Classroom C
Laura Sterling - 507-334-9661
2nd Tuesday each month, 6–8 p.m.
Golden Valley
Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd.
Bev Chipman - 763-323-3178 and Mary Sodergren 763-267-7041
1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Mankato
Immanual St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System, 1025 Marsh St
Marlene Buker - 507-388-5313, 800-527-2922, marbuker@hickorytech.net
2nd Thursday of the month, 7 p.m.
Minneapolis
Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, 5440 Penn Ave. S.
Larry Turner - 612-922-5830
JoAnne Dunstan - 952-944-2478
2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Mora
Immanuel Lutheran, 2088 Highway 70
Pastor Lori Blake - 320-679-2015
Meets 3rd Thursday of each month from 7–8:30 pm
New Prague
Queen of Peace Hospital, Womens's Health Center, 301 Second St. NE
Sally Schmid - 952-758-4735
4th Tuesday each month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Owatonna
Survivors of Suicide
Owatonna Public Library - 3rd Floor
Connie Scott - 507-456-3073, rememberBrian@gmail.com
1st Monday of each month at 6:45 PM
Princeton
1st Congregational UCC, 610 1st St
Lisa Dentz, 763-670-9850(cell)
Every Monday, 7-8:30 p.m., child care provided, call first to confirm meeting if it is a holiday.
Rochester
Evangel United Methodist Church, 2645 N. Broadway, Rm. 221
Karen Byer - 507-288-5605, kbyer@charter.net
3rd Thursday each month, 7 pm
Sauk Rapids
Suicide Loss Support Group
Center For Life Transitions, 312 2nd Ave. N.
Lois Rengel - 320-529-0427, lrengel@ccstcloud.org
4th Tuesday of the month, 7-8:30 p.m.
Saint Paul
Friends & Families of Suicide, Twin City Friends Meeting
1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN
Peer Facilitator, Tracy Toner - 651-642-1313, ffosmn@yahoo.com
3rd Monday each month, 7-9 pm
Survivor Resources
367 Grove Street, St. Paul MN
Margaret McAbee - margaret.mcabee@ci.stpaul.mn.us, 651-266-5674
Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm
Spicer
Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 6680 153rd Ave NE
Pamela Taylor 320-354-4768 or Janae Rambow 320-354-5182, jerambow@tds.net
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month 7-8:30 p.m.
White Bear Lake
Survivors of Suicide (SOS), Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Dr.
Tony DelPercio - 651-222-8597, tony.delpercio@bradshawfuneral.com or Carol - 651-222-8597.
1st Thursday each month, 7 to 9:00 p.m.
Woodbury
East Metro Survivor Group, Woodbury United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road
Chris Caulkins - 651-295-6595
Mary McGuire - 612-720-5032
2nd Monday each month 6 p.m.
We suggest that you call before you attend a support group for the first time, to verify that the group is still meeting at the place and time listed above.
IF YOU REACH A RECORDING WHEN CALLING A SUPPORT GROUP, IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A SUICIDE SURVIVOR TO ENSURE A PROMPT REPLY.
IF YOU PREFER TO SPEAK TO A SUICIDE SURVIVOR RATHER THAN ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP OR IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL SAVE AT 1-888-511-SAVE or 952-946-7998 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE ON VOICE MAIL. THIS NUMBER IS ANSWERED DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AND THE VOICE MAIL BOX IS CHECKED HOURLY AFTER HOURS.