The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley is dedicated to supporting individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. The grieving process in the wake of suicide is often complicated by the stigma that surrounds suicide. The Samaritans offers individual and group support to survivors to facilitate a healthy grieving process and help individuals come to terms with their loss.

If you have lost a family member or friend through suicide:

• You may find that even close friends can’t talk about the death, perhaps out of fear of upsetting you.
• You may be overwhelmed by intense anger and worry about the rest of the family falling apart.
• You may discover that the pain and grieving do not stop, in spite of your determined efforts.
• You may wonder if you will ever be able to accept life fully and joyfully again.
• But... You are not alone!

SAFE PLACE

Safe Place is a suicide survivor support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Safe Place is a place for individuals to grieve, share difficulties and feelings, and find support from others who are grieving in the wake of suicide. Meetings are facilitated by a peer suicide survivor and are confidential and free.

Safe Place meets at two locations twice each month:

• Safe Place in North Andover meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Saint Michael Parish at 196 Main Street.
• Safe Place in Lowell meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Centralville United Methodist Church at 800 Bridge Street.
• Safe Place in Beverly meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at St. John Episcopal Church at 705 Hale Street.

BEFRIENDING SERVICES

Often times, survivors are not ready for a support group. Samaritans’ crisis help lines are staffed by trained volunteers who will listen with compassion. If you need someone to listen, call 1-866-912-4673 or 978-327-6607. We also have a Teen Help Line at: 978-688-8336. Our statewide Samaritans Number is: 1-877-870-4673.

Survivor to Survivor Services

This program provides support services directly to the survivors, either in their home or at work. Two trained volunteers will come to your home for a couple of hours to listen, comfort, befriend, and help answer questions. This service provides help in the grieving process in familiar surroundings. We can provide this service several times a year. Please call Debbie at 978-327-6671 for more information.

Journey with hope: Suicide survivor newsletter

This quarterly newsletter is made available to help survivors of suicide loss as they navigate their way through the very unique process and journey of grieving a loved one's suicide.  Journey With Hope is provided quarterly and offers tips, suggestions and readings.  Submissions and suggestions are welcome, email them to dhelms@familyserviceinc.com

• Journey With Hope - Fall 2011

For more information on Survivor to Survivor or Safe Place services, please feel free to contact Debbie Helms, Samaritans Program Coordinator, at 978-327-6671.