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 SPRING 2026 cycle will open december 1
Groups are in alphabetical order.
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent: 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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[FULL] 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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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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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
