Survivors of Suicide Loss.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ORGANIZATION

Mission of organization: SOSL is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization providing a helpline, six countywide support groups and speaker's bureau presenting healing and hope for survivors of a suicide loss and the effects of suicide on surviving family members and friends. The loss we have sustained creates within us a passion to prevent suicides. SOSL educates the community about suicide and supports surviving family members and friends by providing a safe forum in which to regain a sense of hope for the future.

Telephone: (619) 482-0297.

Web site: soslsd.org.

Email: soslsd@yahoo.com.

Founded: 1981.

Milestone: Twenty-seven years of continuous service for survivors.

Annual income: N/A.

Expense allocation: N/A.

Corporate support: None.

Corporate supporters: None.

Board chair: Paul Gagliardi.

Board members: Annette Conway, Camille Currier, Scott Johnson, Linda Hunt, Marie Mays, Emerald Randolph, Michael Turner and Dan Williams.

Employees: One contract position.

Volunteers: Both professional and peer volunteers are involved. We have 18 facilitators that conduct monthly support groups. Multiple volunteers assist with producing and mailing the quarterly newsletter; volunteers respond to calls from survivors who just need to talk. Our speaker's bureau provides presentations in college and high school classes and participates in training volunteers with the trauma intervention programs and other first responders.

Events: Annual Survivors of Suicide Loss Day; Annual Save a Life Community Walk.

Wish list: Sponsors for printing and mailing costs for our quarterly newsletters; laptop computer; printer, Power Point projector and copier.

OFFICE ISSUES

Recent challenge: Identifying persons able and willing to be trained for facilitating support groups.

Measures of success: The increasing numbers of families and individuals that are helped on their journey through the complex grief of loss to suicide.

Smartest move: Pairing professional counselors with peer facilitators.

Missed opportunity: Developing corporate support.

PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS

Personal path to nonprofit work: I retired from nursing school in June 2003 after my husband took his life in August 2002. Gordon, a psychotherapist, had been on the board of SOSL and I had assisted him in many SOSL activities, so I was very familiar with the organization. When I was asked to serve as executive director in September 2004, it was an opportunity to make something good come out of the tragic loss of my husband. I believe God does not waste experiences and I knew that my involvement with SOSL presented an opportunity to help others as I had been helped.

Toughest aspect: Taking calls from people who have recently lost a loved one to suicide as these conversations bring me back to the pain of losing my husband. Yet, in some ways, this is also the most rewarding part of my job when the caller expresses relief at finding someone to talk to with whom they can identify.

Most surprising aspect: Becoming a survivor is like moving into a community where you never imagined living, but you are comforted by the residents already there. Later, you feel the need to be there for others as unfortunately, the community continues to grow.

Biggest pain: Dealing with the stigma of mental illness and suicide.

Greatest pleasure: Observing individuals and families moving forward on the journey and making progress toward a new normal life. The pain of our loss will always be a part of our lives; but we can rebuild our lives, despite the pain.

INTROSPECTIONS

Best recent moment: Birth of my fourth grandchild.

Worst recent moment: This is, unfortunately, a recurring moment--every time I learn of another death to suicide.

Dream for another life: That mental illness will be accepted with the same understanding and compassion as physical illness and that suicide will become increasingly rare.

Downtime: I enjoy the outdoors, especially the beach. I love to swim and boogie board and have recently taken up cycling. I spend every available moment with my four grandchildren, who live in San Diego.

Causes: Reducing the stigma of mental illness and suicide that hinders recovery and healing and contributes to the number of people lost to suicide each year.

Most like to meet: I am very content with the people in my life, both personally and professionally, from whom I learn new things everyday.

Nonprofit Profile appears regularly on a space available basis. Please contact Editor Tom York at tyork@sdbj.com, if your organization would like be featured.