What is Postvention?
While most people are familiar with the concept of suicide prevention, fewer may know the term suicide postvention and what it entails. Suicide postvention refers to providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss. Postvention is critical to promote healing after suicide and reduces suicide risk for loss survivors. Through postvention practices, we can reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and support individuals and communities through the grieving process. The main goals of postvention are to help people grieve in a healthy way, both individually and as a community, and to prevent further suicides among those who may be at risk due to the loss.
Currently in a Crisis?
If you or someone you care about is currently in a crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Find a Postvention Training
Through the Face the Fight initiative, we have developed a Postvention Training series aimed at equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively and compassionately support communities experiencing suicide loss. Our events are specifically tailored to address the unique needs of different groups:
Clinical Provider and Leadership Trainings
This series is designed for mental health clinicians, medical providers, and organizational leaders.
Non-Clinical Peer & Leadership Trainings
This series caters to veterans, colleagues, caregivers, and other non-clinical community members.
Clinical Provider and Leadership Trainings
In our work as mental health and medical providers, we support clients with a range of challenges including suicidality and those who may have lost a loved one to suicide. Many providers will lose a patient to suicide at some point during their career. This loss can have a profound impact, both personally and professionally.
Through Face the Fight, we have developed a training series designed to equip healthcare organizations and medical providers with the knowledge and resources to handle such challenging situations effectively.
Thank you to our Esteemed Partners:
Clinical Work with the Suicide Bereaved
Time: 11-3pm CT
Location: Zoom
Presented by:
Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D., Co-Chair of Coalition of Clinical Survivors
Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio
Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers
Course Description
In this training, Dr. Gutin will describe the many unique aspects of grief following a suicide loss, as well as how this experience may vary for children and within different cultures and demographic groups (including clinicians). She will provide research and guidelines for effective treatment for those loss survivors who seek clinical and/or group support andwill offer both local and national resources for survivors and clinicians who work with them.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational program, learners will be able to:
- Describe at least 3 of the unique issues and challenges encountered by survivors of suicide loss.
- Describe how a survivor’s suicide bereavement trajectory may vary in relation to cultural and/or demographic factors and spiritual beliefs.
- Describe at least 3 optimal goals for suicide loss survivors in psychotherapeutic treatment, and the interventions which are most likely to facilitate these goals.
Continued Education Credits and Certificates
Attendees are eligible to receive Continuing Education (CE) Credits for participating in the training. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio maintains responsibility for this program and its content. APA continuing education credits have historically been recognized by most professional state licensing boards. Please check with your licensing board for verification.
Healing After Suicide Loss: Postvention for Providers
Time: 1-2pm CT
Location: Zoom
Presented by:
Erin Higgins, LCSW, LAC, Social Worker, Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention
Christie Machan, LCSW, Social Worker, Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention
Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio
Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers
Course Description
Suicide postvention, the organized response that occurs after a suicide loss, is an essential element of a comprehensive suicide prevention approach. By providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss, suicide postvention policies and practices serve an important function in reducing risk and promoting healing after suicide. Despite its importance, many providers report a lack of suicide postvention education and awareness. This presentation will describe the widespread impact of suicide loss, including the impact of suicide loss on providers. Recommendations and resources to assist providers in developing and/or enhancing suicide postvention practices will be offered.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational program, learners will be able to:
1. Describe why suicide postvention processes are critical to a comprehensive suicide prevention approach.
2. Summarize the impact of suicide loss on providers.
3. List suicide postvention resources.
Continued Education Credits and Certificates
Attendees are eligible to receive 1 hour Continuing Education (CE) Credit for participating in the training. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio maintains responsibility for this program and its content. APA continuing education credits have historically been recognized by most professional state licensing boards. Please check with your licensing board for verification.
The Impact of Suicide On Mental Health Clinicians: What We Know, What We Can Do
Time: 11am – 3pm CT
Location: Zoom
Presented by:
Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D., Co-Chair of Coalition of Clinical Survivors
Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio
Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers
Course Description
This presentation will summarize what’s currently known about the personal and professional experiences of a Clinician’s suicide loss (of both patients and loved ones). Dr Gutin will highlight the potential impact of suicide loss on the clinicians work and identity, as well as the legal and ethical issues that are likely to arise after the suicide of a patient, which may further complicate clinicians’ experiences. The role of stigma around the areas of suicide loss and professional vulnerability will be addressed, particularly as this may serve to exacerbate the judgement and isolation that many clinicians experience after such a loss. Postvention guidelines, which can optimally facilitate recovery and growth for impacted clinicians, will be offered. A clinician from a local agency will then share their personal experience of losing a clint to suicide, highlighting both challenging and helpful factors in their eventual recovery.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational program, learners will be able to:
- Describe 3 common effects of client/family suicide loss on clinicians, as it relates to both personal and professional contexts.
- Describe the ways in which personal and professional stigma plays a role in the sequelae of clinician’s suicide loss.
- Describe the factors most likely to facilitate optimal outcomes in relation to the suicide loss of a client from the personal, professional, clinical, educational, familial and legal perspectives
Continued Education Credits and Certificates
Attendees are eligible to receive Continuing Education (CE) Credits for participating in the training. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio maintains responsibility for this program and its content. APA continuing education credits have historically been recognized by most professional state licensing boards. Please check with your licensing board for verification.
Non-Clinical Peer and Leadership Trainings
Join our specialized training sessions designed to equip veterans, peers and Non-Healthcare Organizations with essential skills in suicide prevention, safe messaging, and postvention support. Gain practical tools and knowledge to effectively support those impacted by suicide, foster healing, and promote a resilient community.
Register now to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by suicide loss.
Thank you to our Esteemed Partners:
Suicide Prevention Communications: Strategies for Safe Messaging
Time: 12-1pm CT
Location: Zoom
Presented by:
Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., L.M.H.C., N.C.C., F.T., Senior Director of Suicide Prevention and Postvention Programs, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Surviving Spouse of Marine Corps Drill Instructor Sgt. Richard Stumpf
Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio
Audience: Anyone who communicates about suicide or interacts with those impacted by suicide loss.
Ideal participants include:
- Professionals, laypersons, and volunteers in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
- Organizations providing suicide-related services and support.
- Educators, HR specialists, and public affairs and media personnel working with the veteran community and the general public.
Course Description:
The way we communicate about suicide matters. Our messaging can either encourage people to seek help or discourage them from reaching out. Many inaccurate and long-standing myths surround suicide, so it’s essential that our communications after a suicide loss are strategic, safe, and supportive. This presentation will cover key guidelines and best practices for communicating effectively and compassionately following a suicide loss.
Why This Training Matters
Understanding and Support: Learn how to stabilize immediate concerns, foster open communication about the impacts of suicide, and model help-seeking behavior.
Proven Interventions: Gain access to postvention strategies that directly reduce contagion in high-risk populations and foster a safe, trusted space to reduce stigma and encourage support-seeking.
Community and Connection: Create a sense of belonging among veterans, service members, and colleagues, helping them realize they are not alone in their grief and can find support within their community.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational program, learners will be able to:
- Effective Postvention Interventions: Implement strategies to reduce contagion and support those at high risk.
- Building a Supportive Community: Foster connections that create a safe, supportive environment for those grieving a suicide loss.
- Promoting Healing and Growth: Encourage proactive mental health care, peer support, and open communication about grief and loss.
Actionable Applications
- Learn how to reach out and talk openly about suicide losses.
- Understand the value of processing grief with the help of peer support groups.
- Proactively seek or refer others to mental health care when needed.
Postvention Immediately After a Suicide Death: Emotional Support for Loss Survivors
Time: 12-1pm CT
Location: Zoom
Presented by:
Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., L.M.H.C., N.C.C., F.T., Senior Director of Suicide Prevention and Postvention Programs, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Surviving Spouse of Marine Corps Drill Instructor Sgt. Richard Stumpf
Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio
Audience: Anyone who communicates about suicide or interacts with those impacted by suicide loss.
Ideal participants include:
- Professionals, laypersons, and volunteers in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
- Organizations providing suicide-related services and support.
- Educators, HR specialists, and public affairs and media personnel working with the veteran community and the general public.
Course Description:
Immediate postvention following a suicide loss focuses on providing essential emotional support to survivors, including family, friends, and others impacted by the loss. Effective postvention aims to create a supportive environment that acknowledges their grief, offers a sense of safety, and helps them cope with complex emotions like guilt, sadness, and confusion. Early intervention with compassionate support, clear communication, and accessible resources can help reduce feelings of isolation and promote healing during this profoundly difficult time.
Why This Training Matters
Immediate Support: Gain specific skills to stabilize and support survivors immediately after a suicide loss, addressing key issues that often arise.
Peer-Based Grief Support:
Learn how to apply postvention tools, including peer-based grief support, to help survivors cope with their loss.
Empathy and Active Listening:
Enhance your ability to provide emotional support using empathy, active listening, and stigma-free language.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational program, learners will be able to:
- Effective Postvention Practices: Implement practical and deliverable postvention practices to support those bereaved by suicide.
- Building Personal Competency: Increase your competency in handling suicide grief and traumatic loss with empathy and calm presence.
- Communication Skills: Use non-judgmental language to provide support and comfort to loss survivors.
Actionable Applications
- Learn how to reach out and talk openly about suicide losses.
- Understand the value of processing grief with the help of peer support groups.
- Proactively seek or refer others to mental health care when needed.
Find a Postvention Resource
Find postvention resources, organizations and support groups using the following resource menu and descriptions. For any specific questions, please email the resource organization’s designated email
Community
Find organizations dedicated to supporting individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
Workplace
Find organizations dedicated to supporting workplace leaders with their Postvention efforts.
Medical and Mental Health Providers
Find organizations dedicated to supporting mental health providers.
Postvention Resources
Community Postvention
Below are organizations dedicated to postvention efforts providing essential resources and support for individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
Veteran and Military Family Postvention
Uniting for Suicide Postvention
- Uniting for Suicide Postvention developed by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention within the Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Suite of resources for community members including education, podcasts, video stories of loss survivors, blogs.
TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS)
- If you a Service Member, Veteran or family members who have experienced a suicide loss, please connect them to TAPS for resources and support.
- Loss survivors and providers can reach TAPS 24/7 at 800-959-TAPS (8277) or visit taps.org/suicideto learn more and get connected.
- The Alliance of Hope was created by survivors for survivors and provides online healing support and other services for people who are coping with loss to suicide.
- The Alliance of Hope online forum operates like a 24/7 support group. In addition, the website contains support resources and information on the survivor experience. Visit allianceofhope.org to learn more and connect with other suicide loss survivors.
Resources for Families and Recent Survivors
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Healing Conversations is a one-time visit that connects those who have lost a loved one to suicide with trained volunteers who are also survivors of suicide loss.
- The goal of this connection is to help recent survivors navigate this challenging journey by offering support, connection, and resources.: https://afsp.org/healing-conversations/
Resources for Children and Youth:
Talking to Kids (T2K) about Suicide
- This website provides information and ideas specific to preschoolers, school age and teenagers age group in English and Spanish.
- If there has been a recent suicide attempt in your family, this may be one of the toughest experiences you and your children may ever face. It is important to take care of yourself, so that you are better able to care for your child. The How to Talk to a Child about Suicide Attempt in your Family guide is intended to provide you with some of that support, and also share other resources that may be helpful for you now and as your family recovers. *The guide is not intended to replace professional mental health advice.
Talking to Children about Suicide Loss
- This pdf document provides information on Talking to Children Who Have Been Affected by Suicide or an Attempted Suicide of Someone They Know
Five Things Kids Bereaved by Suicide Loss Want Adults to Know
- This presentation will explore five things kids bereaved by suicide say they need from the adults in their lives to better support them.
- We also will discuss talking to kids about suicide and how child and teen grief after a suicide loss differs from other types of losses.
Workplace Postvention
Below you will find resources and organizations looking to support workplace leaders with their Postvention efforts
Developing Postvention Plans
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- This guide provides workplace leaders with clear action steps for suicide postvention, including immediate, short-term, and long-term responses to help employees cope with the aftermath of the traumatic event.
Uniting for Suicide Postvention
- Uniting for Suicide Postvention developed by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention within the Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Suite of resources for clinicians including sample guidelines, trainings, podcasts, information on managing legal & ethical considerations, along with resources for losing a patient to suicide
Postvention for Medical and Mental Health Providers
Find Postvention resources for medical and mental health providers
Clinician and Workplace Postvention
Uniting for Suicide Postvention
- Uniting for Suicide Postvention developed by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention within the Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Suite of resources for clinicians including sample guidelines, trainings, podcasts, information on managing legal & ethical considerations, along with resources for losing a patient to suicide
The Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM)
- The SRM Lecture Series is a free, live webinar for providers working with Veterans at risk for suicide offered on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2-3pm EST.
- SRM also provides free consultation, support, education and resources that promote therapeutic best practices for professionals working with Veterans at risk for suicide.
Coalition of Clinical Survivors:
- Coalition of Clinical Survivors mission is to provide support, education, resources, and consultation to mental health professionals and other professional caregivers who have experienced suicide losses in personal or professional contexts.
- Suite of resources for clinicians including sample guidelines, trainings, podcasts, information on managing legal & ethical considerations, along with resources for losing a patient to suicide
