The facilitator should be familiar with depressive illnesses, their link to suicide, and their treatment. W e recommend attending a facilitator-training program if available in your area. G rief groups are open to all suicide survivors without regard to age, race, religious background, etc. Groups are generally run in an open format. There are not enrollment time windows or attendance requirements.
Attendance is at the discretion of the individual survivor.
I t is helpful to have resources such as books and handouts available to people attending the group. SAVE can provide you with a list of recommended books and many excellent handouts on depressive illnesses and suicide. M ost groups meet twice a month on a regular schedule, with meeting lengths of 1 - 2 hours. All must respect the confidentiality of what members share in group in order to encourage open participation. What is said here, stays here is a good policy to follow.