On the Saturday before Thanksgiving every year, International Survivor of Suicide Loss Day (ISOSLD or Survivor Day) is observed.
The United States Congress established Survivor Day as a day for family and friends of those lost to suicide to unite for support. Many survivors who engage in Survivor Day form significant bonds with others who have suffered similarly. Survivor Day encourages an open dialogue on suicide and offers a safe, trusting environment to process loss in.
The History of Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
In 1999, U.S. Senator Harry Reid introduced a resolution to the U.S. Senate which proposed the creation of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Senator Reid lost his father to suicide and recognized the global need for a day dedicated to those left living after being affected by a loss to suicide. The day was designed by U.S. Congress to be a day in which those living with loss by suicide can unite for support and healing. The Saturday before Thanksgiving was chosen as Survivor’s Day due to the difficulty holidays bring to everyone affected by loss.
Honoring Survivor Day
On this day, people all over the world will meet to remember their loved ones and see and share stories of healing and hope. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is sponsoring a screening of the film Life Journeys: Reclaiming Life After Loss throughout the United States. They also offer resources and tools to local event organizers, as well as a 90-minute online session that involves a screening of the video followed by a guided-conversation on coping with loss following suicide. For more information, visit the ASFP’s website here.
Additionally, there may be more events in your area sponsored by newspapers, funeral homes, hospitals, or churches, so check with your community.
Statistics on Suicide
Suicide is increasingly recognized as a serious public health issue. While this is not a guide to preventing suicide, listed below are a few key statistics to note:
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages.
- Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ in any given year.
- The highest suicide rates in the US are among white, American Indians, and Alaska Native people.
- Every day, around 123 Americans die by suicide.
- There is 1 completed suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts.
- In 2017, firearms accounted for 50.57% of all suicide deaths.
If you have endured the suicide loss of a military service member, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a resource that you can use. You can contact them at 1-800-959-TAPS(8277) or visit their website at www.taps.org/suicide.
If you know someone who is experiencing an emotional crisis or who is suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
To learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website.
