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.
Groups - Spring Cycle 2025
Registration opens December 1st.
Groups are in alphabetical order.
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent-A: Wednesdays 7:30-9 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
January 15, 22, 29
February 5, 12, 19
March 5, 12, 19, 26
Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent-B: Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Kim Burditt (kimburditt46@gmail.com)
January 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4, 11, 18, 25
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)
January 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 24
March 3, 10, 17, 24
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Fathers (for fathers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Don Lipstein (don.lipstein@gmail.com)
January 21, 28
February 4, 11, 25
March 4, 11, 25
April 1, 8
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 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Don Lipstein (don.lipstein@gmail.com)
January 22, 29
February 5, 12, 26
March 5, 12, 26
April 2, 9
Mothers-A (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Sundays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail.com)
January 12, 19, 26
February 9, 16, 23
March 9, 23, 30
April 6
Mothers-B (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 4-5:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Jaletta Albright Desmond (hopeafterws@gmail.com​)
January 14, 21, 28
February 11, 18, 25
March 4, 11, 25
April 1
Mothers-C (for mothers who’ve lost a child): Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
January 14, 28
February 11, 18, 25
March 11, 18, 25
April 8, 22
[NEW] Mothers-Continuing Journey (for mothers who lost a child 2+ years ago. Prior participation in a Coping After Suicide Group is not required): Thursdays 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Tammy Sperr (tsperr@comcast.net)
January 16, 23, 30
February 13, 20, 27
March 20, 27
April 17, 24
Siblings-A: Thursdays 6:30-8 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Marianne Reid Schrom (mar.schrom@gmail.com)
January 16, 23, 30
February 6, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
Siblings-B: Thursdays 8:30-10 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Marianne Reid Schrom (mar.schrom@gmail.com​)
January 16, 23, 30
February 6, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others-A: Tuesdays 12-1:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com)
January 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 25
March 4, 11, 18, 25
Spouses, Partners, and Significant Others-B: Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Joan Hoff (joanshoff2020@gmail.com​)
January 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 25
March 4, 11, 18, 25
Teens: Mondays 6-7:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com)
January 6, 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 17
March 3, 10, 17
Twentysomethings: Mondays 8-9:30 pm Eastern
Facilitator: Steve Karaiskos (stevenjkaraiskos@gmail.com​)
January 6, 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 17
March 3, 10, 17
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Kim
Jaletta
Joan
Steven
Don
Marianne
