(Courtesy of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Survivor Day or ISOSLD) is a day when people affected by suicide loss gather in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope.

Survivor Day was created by an act of Congress in 1999 and since then has been sponsored and supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Every year, hundreds of organized events are held throughout the U.S. and around the world on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which this year is Saturday, Nov. 19.

For many loss survivors, attending a Survivor Day event is an opportunity to discover that they are not alone in their experience of losing someone they know and love to suicide. In addition, all gatherings include a screening of an AFSP-produced documentary for and about suicide loss survivors.

For those who are unable to attend a Survivor Day event due to Jewish religious observance, AFSP is holding an “ISOSL Day—Through Jewish Lens” to be held virtually via Zoom from noon-2p.m. ESTon Sunday, Nov. 20. This time was chosen to make it convenient for participants from all over the U.S. and in Israel, where it will be 7 p.m. More information or registration available at https://through-a-jewish-lens.isosld.afsp.org/.

The event will be facilitated by Sandra Goldmeer, area director of the Capital Region New York chapter. She will be joined by volunteers from throughout the U.S. who have participated on the planning committee, including from the Chicago-based organization No Shame On U (https://www.noshameonu.org/)

“Suicide touches one in five American families. By connecting and coming together, we will keep going in the fight to stop suicide. Together, we send the message that you are never alone, that healing is possible, and when we connect, we create hope. Together we keep going,” said Goldmeer.

To learn more about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day and find other locations, including other virtual events on November 20 throughout the U.S, visit afsp.org/SurvivorDay.

For further details on the Jewish Lens event, call (518) 791-1544 or email [email protected].