We're less than one month away from International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, which takes place each year on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving. Also known as Survivor Day, this annual occasion is an opportunity for those who have been affected by the tragedy of suicide to come together and find support, comfort, and healing through shared experience. This year, those who have lost someone to suicide will gather at Survivor Day events around the globe on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Judy Battista is a survivor of suicide loss and longtime volunteer with AFSP's Hudson Valley/Westchester Chapter. She organized her first Survivor Day event back in 2009, and still participates to this day. Here's what she said about her experience attending and volunteering for Survivor Day events:
"It is a healing event made up of moments: a day that people look around and see they are not alone. The sense of unity is powerful, and that is where the healing magic happens. Some people attend once and move forward. Others return year after year. I feel like a proud mother, seeing how they have grown in their own healing experience." Read Judy's full story.
People who attend Survivor Day events find them to be a welcome source of collective support during the holiday season, which can be a particularly difficult time of year for those who have lost someone. Whether you're there for the very first time or have been participating for years, Survivor Day can help you connect with a community of people who understand.
You are not alone, and we hope that you join a Survivor Day event near you on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
