International Survivors of Suicide Day
Each year, International Survivors of Suicide Day helps individuals and families who have lost someone to suicide connect with others and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience. Survivors of suicide loss from around the come together for support, healing, and information through a unique network of healing conferences around the world.
Hundreds of simultaneous survivor conferences are organized locally and independently by an individual, organization, agency, or school, but they're all connected in spirit as they watch a special AFSP broadcast together at the same time. The 2012 broadcast, available in English, Spanish, or French, will also be shown online at www.afsp.org from 1:00-2:30 pm EST (GMT -5) so survivors can watch from a home computer even if there isn't a conference in their area, or if they find it difficult to attend in person.
International Survivors of Suicide Day is always the 3rd Saturday in November. It was officially founded by U.S. Senate resolution in 1999 through the efforts of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide. In recognition of the fact that suicide knows no geographic or national boundaries and sites are organized on every continent, AFSP’s program is called International Survivors of Suicide Day.
What’s on the free broadcast?
The broadcast includes a blend of emotional support, information about resources for healing, and question-and-answer panels with "experienced" survivors and mental health professionals. We address the questions that so many newly bereaved survivors face:
The target audience is adults, but it is appropriate for most middle and high-school aged children to watch with a guardian. If you've never seen a broadcast, we highly recommend that you watch one from previous years at www.afsp.org/survivorday. The 2012 broadcast has English audio with subtitles in Spanish and French, plus closed-captioning in English.
How will we show the free, 90-minute broadcast?
The broadcast is on DVD, and you will receive it in the mail the week prior to International Survivors of Suicide Day. Because survivors find it emotionally powerful to watch the broadcast together with thousands of other survivors, we ask U.S. conference sites show the DVD simultaneously from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5). Due to significant time zone differences around the world, some sites outside the U.S. show it from 1-2:30 p.m. local time.
Is the broadcast available in languages other than English?
Yes, it features French and Spanish subtitles and English closed-captioning. (Non-native English speakers have told us that the English closed-captioning helps them follow along more easily.) For information on other languages, please email survivingsuicideloss@afsp.org.
Who can organize a conference site?
Anyone can organize a local conference site anywhere in the world. Click here for details on organizing a site outside of the United States.
How will putting together a local conference site benefit my organization or community?
Other than showing the broadcast, what else will we need to do?
Rest assured that organizing a conference site does NOT have to be a huge, overwhelming job. The main program content is provided on DVD for free by AFSP, so all you need to do is play the DVD for your attendees. Just having the opportunity to gather with other survivors of suicide loss in the community to watch this international broadcast is very healing. Many organizers also choose to add local programming like sharing sessions, a local speaker, healing activities or food before or after the broadcast, but that is your choice to make as a local organizer.
Read more Frequently Asked Questions.
The following guide is very detailed, so please don't feel that you have to read it all in one sitting. First, just scan through each step so you have an overall picture of what you need to do. Remember that AFSP provides the program content with a free 90-minute broadcast on DVD. It is up to each local site organizer to decide if they'd also like to add local programming.
Every year many first-time organizers put together successful sites. Our advice: keep it simple, start early, and go step-by-step. The basic steps of putting together a conference are to find a location, promote & publicize, and prepare the ‘day of’ details like preparing signs and materials.
The Frequently Asked Questions page will address many common concerns, but you can also contact us at any time at survivingsuicideloss@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 2035.
Recommended timeline. Following this timeline will give you ample time to find a good location and promote the conference. However, if you just learned about this program and haven’t started as early as we recommend, don’t be discouraged! You can absolutely still put a site together.
STEPS 1-11 | RECOMMENDED TIMELINE |
| 1: Find Local Help | March - May |
| 2: Find a Location | by May |
| 3: Register Your Site | by June |
| 4: Promote and Publicize | June - November |
| 5: Track RSVP's | April - November |
| 6: Local Programming / Logistics | June - August |
| 7: Prepare Materials | October - November |
| 8: Final Preparations | November |
| 9: One Day Before | November |
| 10: 'Day Of' | November |
| 11: Afterwards | November - December |
| The Appendix has forms, templates, & "toolkits" to help every step of the way. | |
Finding others to help ensures that work is distributed among a number of people. Each person can be responsible for separate aspects of the conference. The following are the primary roles that need to be covered.
Tasks for volunteers:
Establish “who will do what” early on to keep things organized. Utilize the strengths and talents of each volunteer. For example, someone who has a lot of connections in the community might be a good location scout or promoter; someone who is warm and friendly can serve at the registration or information table.
Here's a great idea for finding local help, shared by AFSP Montana's Chapter Chair, Joan Nye: She's established a relationship with a local college, and professors who teach psych classes offer extra credit to students who volunteer to help with the event. Think about approaching programs for nursing, social work, human services, psychology, or psychiatry.
Minimum Location Requirements:
An ideal space is quiet and comforting. Consider convenience of location, parking, restroom availability, public transportation accessibility etc…Most organizers are able to find free or donated space, or are able to negotiate a reduction in the rental fee by explaining the purpose of the event. Offer to acknowledge these donations or discounts in your publicity and Event Program.
Possible Locations:
| School or University Hospital Community Center like YMCA Library | Mental Health Center Hospice Hotel |
If you chose to use a building that is owned by a religious organization, (e.g. church, temple, mosque) be very careful in your promotion and publicity to stress that this is not a religious or faith-based program and all are welcome to attend.
Optional Location Characteristics:
Some conferences (but not all) serve food or have sharing sessions, educational sessions, or healing activities before or after the broadcast. If you plan on doing so, arrange additional space or room(s).
Basic Technical Requirements: DVD player or lap-top computer that plays DVDs with a large-screen TV or LCD projector and audio system. Read the DVD Technical Information Sheet for complete details. The DVD will be shipped to the Primary Organizer by regular mail the week prior to International Survivors of Suicide Day.
In order to preserve the integrity of International Survivors of Suicide Day, which was created by U.S. Senate Resolution in 1999, the DVD is released for use no earlier than the third Saturday of November. Local conference organizers must agree to show the DVD uninterrupted, in its entirety, to an audience on this day. We encourage sites to show it from 1-2:30 pm EST (GMT -5). It is very emotionally powerful for viewers to know that they are watching simultaneously with thousands of others. (After you initially show the DVD on International Survivors of Suicide Day, you are welcome to show it again at any time throughout the year.)
If you have any technical questions about showing the DVD, please contact AFSP's technical coordinator for this event, Kenny Reff of Limelight Communications Inc. at afsp-help@limelightdc.com (you must put "Support" in the subject line) or (703) 242-4596.
You must fill out the online Site Registration Form to receive the DVD. After you register, your city will be added to the list of participating cities on the AFSP website. Complete this step as early as possible so visitors to www.afsp.org/survivorday can learn about your site. Registro de Locación en Español
It is extremely important to promote and publicize your conference widely, even if you organized a conference last year. Generally, less than 30% of attendees will come again, while 70% are first-time attendees. You must do your own local promotion and publicity using a variety of methods to attract attendees. AFSP does publicize and promote International Survivors of Suicide Day, but it will not work to rely on this to attract attendees to your local conference. Many organizers have asked AFSP to do national radio and TV publicity. We really wish that we could, but because of the enormous cost, it isn't possible.
PUBLICIZE through local newspaper, radio, and TV. The PUBLICITY TOOLKIT has step-by-step directions.You’ll also need to promote your conference using the grassroots tools and methods below. Be very clear that this is a healing conference for those who are bereaved. It is NOT a suicide prevention program and it is NOT appropriate for those who have survived a suicide attempt. (See Frequently Asked Questions for more information)
PROMOTE your local conference using thse sample FLYERS, SAVE-THE-DATE CARDS, and ANNOUNCEMENTS. Reach out to survivors directly and to everyone in your area who is likely to have contact with survivors:
Network With Individuals and Organizations: Make phone calls, go to community meetings, and do everything you can to personally speak with a wide variety of people and organizations who are likely to come in contact with survivors. (See list above). Every time you speak with somebody, ask for suggestions on who else you should contact. Email is great for quick announcements and reminders, but you need to network in-person and over the phone too. People are busy and your emails can very easily go unread or ignored.
Ask other other organizations and individuals to:
Email Blasts Directly to Survivors: See sample email announcements. If you're computer savvy and you have time, you might consider using a free email marketing tool for more professional looking emails with graphics, etc… One such tool is www.mailchimp.com. (Please be aware that AFSP is not able to provide technical assistance for Mailchimp or other email marketing tools.)
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about the importance of International Survivors of Suicide Day and your personal connection to this event. Use the sample letter in the Publicity Toolkit.
Internet & Social Media – Post banner ads and information about your conference on blogs, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and other similar sites (sample tweets and Facebook posts are in the Publicity Toolkit). Enlist the help of younger survivors who are in their late teens and early twenties.
Set up Info Tables Set up an info table at community health and wellness fairs, or even events like craft fairs, flea markets, farmers’ markets etc.... Sell baked goods, crafts, or whatever is applicable and use the proceeds for your conference.
Post Flyers throughout your community. (For example: libraries, colleges, grocery stores, cafes, delis, laundromats, community centers, etc…) Keep a stack of fliers in your car and in your bag at all times; you never know when you will meet someone unexpectedly.
Become a Fan of the AFSP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afspnational)
Survivors will RSVP or register directly with you or your Main Contact. AFSP is not able to collect RSVPs or track attendance for you. Allow walk-ins, but ask survivors to RSVP or register in advance whenever possible to help you effectively plan and so you can send reminders leading up to the event. (RSVPs are also extremely helpful in the unlikely event that you need to change your location or cancel the conference.)
Collect as much information as possible about each attendee - full name, phone number, email address, mailing address, who they lost. (This last bit of information helps you plan for support and sharing sessions.)
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