International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day memorial crafting event
Join ORCA, NAMI, and the Fairbanks Wellness Coalition for a memorial crafting event on Friday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Wood Center Multi-Level Lounge to create a special UAF collaborative piece of art honoring survivors of suicide loss.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. The official day of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate, leading to the creation of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Also known as Survivor Day, the day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support. It was determined that Survivor Day would always fall on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors.
For more information on what to say to a friend or coworker who has lost someone who has died by suicide, please, check out these helpful tips from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
For immediate assistance, and support:
- Please dial-988 (National Suicide Helpline)
- Careline- 877-266-HELP to reach a counselor or Text4help to 839863
- UAF Student Health & Counseling 907-474-7043 or check out TimelyCare
- Text TALK to 741741, Text with a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
- Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (After-hours Counseling Services) 907-451-6682
- The Trevor Project: (24/7 Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ Youth) Text 'START' to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline 877-360-5428
For more information about the event, please contact Julia Aikman at 907-474-6368 or jeaikman@alaska.edu.