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 FALL 2025 cycle is now open
Groups are in alphabetical order.
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent - A: Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5
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Adults Who've Lost a Parent - B: Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Kim Burditt (kimburditt46@gmail.com)
September 16, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 18
December 2, 16
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 6:00 -7:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8
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Fathers (for fathers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Don Lipstein (don.lipstein@gmail.com)
September 9, 16, 30
October 7, 21, 28
November 4, 18, 25
December 2
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[NEW] LGBTQIA+ (for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have had a loss to suicide): Thursdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
September 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20
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Mothers-A (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Mondays 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail)
September 15, 22
October 13, 20, 27
November 3, 17
December 1, 22, 29
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Mothers-B (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 3:30 - 5:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail)
September 9, 16, 30
October 14, 21
November 4, 18,
December 2, 16, 30
Mothers-C (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Thursdays 7:00- 8:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
September 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 30
November 13, 20
December 11, 18
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Mothers Continuing Journey (for mothers who lost a child to suicide 2+ years ago, this is another option for you. Prior participation in a Coping After Suicide Group is not required): Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
September 9, 16, 30
October 14, 21, 28
November 11, 18,
December 9, 16
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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 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8
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Siblings: Thursdays 7:30 - 9:00 pm EST
Facilitator: Marianne Reid Schrom (mar.schrom@gmail.com)
September 18, 25
October 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13
December 4, 11
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Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others - A: Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
Septemper 16, 30
October 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
December 2, 9
Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others - B: Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
September 16, 30
October 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
December 2, 9
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Teens: Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
September 9, 16, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
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Twentysomethings: Tuesdays 8:00 - 9:30 pm EST
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
September 9, 16, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18​​
Kim
Jaletta
Joan
Steven
Don
Marianne
