No wanted to talk — or even acknowledge — what had happened.
After Chelcee Hill’s stepbrother died by suicide 12 years ago, the family was devastated. A shame surrounded his death. No one knew where to go for help, how to get resources to cope or how to even talk about it.
The experience has stayed with Hill.
“I remember that weird phase where you don’t know what’s happening, and you and your families are the only ones that feel this,” she said. “Unfortunately, there are a lot of people, because suicide is so prevalent. But to tell them that they’re not alone.”
Hill will be one of numerous survivors of suicide loss who will gather Nov. 19 for International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day, organized by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Johnson County.
People can come to the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to noon to watch a documentary about suicide and share in a discussion about the film. Participants will have the chance to create a craft remembering their loved one, and take part in a candlelight ceremony at the close of the event.
The hope is to bring suicide loss survivors together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience.
“It gives an opportunity and space and time to make a connection with others who have lost a loved one to suicide,” said Kathleen Ratcliff, executive director of Upstream Prevention and chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Johnson County. “Last year, we had somebody who had lost their son of 30 years all the way up to someone who just recently lost their son. To have those two individuals sit next to each other and comfort each other and support each other, it’s really, really powerful.”
International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day, or simply Survivor Day, is a day of remembrance organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The foundation is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.
Survivor Day activities are planned around the world the Saturday before Thanksgiving, since the holidays can be a particularly difficult time for those who have had a loved one die by suicide.
This will be the third event hosted in Johnson County.
“The first time we did, it was something that we thought could be really good,” Ratcliff said. “But after seeing it last year’s event and the individuals who were able to come and connect, it’s really cemented itself as something we should host every year.”
On the local level, Survivor Day is being planned by the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Johnson County, which was formed in 2019 to address death by suicide and mental illness. Among Johnson County residents, 72 people died by suicide between 2019 and 2021.
Numbers from a voluntary screening by Mental Health America showed that Johnson County had significant numbers of people who experience severe depression and had thoughts about suicide in 2021.
This year’s Survivor Day event will be the first to prominently feature the recently formed organization ATLAS, or Assisting Through Loss After Suicide.
The volunteer response team will help individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide by providing rapid support to ensure loss survivors are not alone. Those volunteers also connect loss survivors to resources for ongoing resources and care.
Hill is a co-founder of the organization, which came together in early 2022. The experience has been a valuable one to the county, she said.
“We’re making that connection that they’re not alone, and bringing awareness to the community, trying to make it OK,” she said. “Talking about suicide and talking about mental health, that it’s OK to not be OK, is really important.”
Being able to help facilitate and be part of Survivor Day is another important step for the community, Hill said.
“We don’t have a loss survivor support group here in Johnson County, so it’s a great opportunity to be together in a place where there is no pressure,” she said. “It’s a very open, understanding environment — with people who have been through similar things.”
The event Nov. 19 will feature a light breakfast during check-in before the program starts at 9:30 a.m.
Registration for the Nov. 19 event is requested for this free event, in order to plan for enough materials, Ratcliff said.
“Anything we can do to support survivors and help them understand that they’re not alone, and give them that space and connection when they feel alone is worthwhile,” she said.
AT A GLANCE
Survivor of Suicide Loss Day
What: A free event designed to bring to bring suicide loss survivors together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience.
When: 9:30 a.m.-noon Nov. 19; light breakfast will be served starting at 9:15.
Where: Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 401 State St.
Activities: The event in Johnson County will include the short American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-produced documentary and a facilitated discussion, a remembrance craft for individuals to take with them, and a closing candlelight ceremony.
Register: Registration is requested for this free event, and can be done at franklin-indiana.isosld.afsp.org.
