Joanne L Harpel, Mphil, CT, JD
suicide bereavement & Postvention specialist
Suicide loss support groups
Coping After Suicide® peer support groups are for those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide.
We meet on Zoom so you can participate from wherever you live, and the groups are small and private, so you’ll feel truly seen and heard. You’ll be amazed at how warm, welcoming, and genuine Zoom support groups can be.
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Our groups are professionally facilitated by the Coping After Suicide® Support Group Facilitator Corps -- trained, highly-skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable individuals who, like you, have all lost someone they love to suicide. You’ll receive valuable evidence-informed strategies and resources for coping with this complicated and painful loss.
All groups meet in 10-session cycles and new members are welcomed at the beginning of each cycle:
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Spring Cycle (January-April). Registration opens December 1.
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Summer Cycle (May-August). Registration opens April 1.
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Fall Cycle (September-December). Registration opens August 1.
The registration fee for each 10-session cycle is $435 for new members ($395 for returning members). To make sure you’ll have a safe space for meaningful sharing, membership is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Having specialized groups is amazing, and just the best form of support I've ever experienced."
" After my dad killed himself, my mom, brother, and I each found our own space here.
It meant so much, it's hard to find the words."
"The group has been so helpful.
I have felt a deep inner shift happen."
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“This is just what I needed.
I will be forever thankful."
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"My only regret is not joining sooner.”
​I'm interested in joining. What's next?
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Read our FAQ's to make sure a Coping After Suicide support group is a good fit for you.
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A brief intake conversation is required before registering, and can be scheduled at any time. To set up a call, just email the facilitator of the group you're interested in.
Registration for the summer 2025 cycle IS NOW OPEN
Groups are in alphabetical order.
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent-A: Wednesdays 7:30-9 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
May 21, 28
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent-B: Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Kim Burditt (kimburditt46@gmail.com)
May 13, 20
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22
Continuing Journey (if you lost any loved one to suicide 2+ years ago this is another option for you. Prior participation in a Coping After Suicide Group is not required): Mondays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
May 5, 12, 19
June 2, 9, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
Fathers (for fathers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Don Lipstein (don.lipstein@gmail.com)
May 13, 20
June 3, 17, 24
July 8, 15, 22
August 5, 12
Men’s Continuing Journey (for men who’ve lost any loved one to suicide 2+ years ago. Prior participation in a Coping After Suicide Group is not required): Wednesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Don Lipstein (don.lipstein@gmail.com)
May 14, 21
June 4, 18, 25
July 9, 16, 23
August 6, 13
Mothers-A (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Sundays 7:30-9 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail.com)
May 4, 18
June 1, 8, 22
July 6, 13, 27
August 3, 17
Mothers-B (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 3:30-5:00 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail)
May 6, 20
June 3, 10, 24
July 8, 15, 29
August 5, 19
Mothers-C (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Thursdays 7:30-9 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
May 15, 29
June 12, 19, 26
July 10, 17, 24
August 14, 21
Mothers-Continuing Journey (for mothers who lost a child 2+ years ago. Prior participation in a Coping After Suicide Group is not required): Tuesdays 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
May 13, 27
June 10, 17, 24
July 8, 15, 22
August 12, 19
[NEW] Parenting Your Grieving Children (for single parents, couples, co-parents, and step-parents with children of any age. All parents are welcome to participate, but each person needs to register individually): Mondays 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
May 5, 12, 19
June 2, 9, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
Siblings: Thursdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Marianne Reid Schrom mar.schrom@gmail.com
May 29
June 5, 12, 26
July 10, 17, 24, 31
Aug 14, 21
Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others-A: Tuesdays 12-1:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
May 6, 13, 20
June 3, 10
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others-B: Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
May 6, 13, 20
June 3, 10
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Teens: Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
May 20, 27
June 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Twentysomethings: Tuesdays 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
May 20, 27
June 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29​
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Kim
Jaletta
Joan
Steven
Don
Marianne
