Survivors of Suicide Loss - San Diego

11/24/2024

Thank you to everyone who participated at ! Here is a collection of hearts from some of the survivors who participated. Please let us know some of the wisdom you learned in the comments! ***deloss ***deloss ***de

11/19/2024

Survivors of Su***de Loss is excited to partner with 1802 Jiujitsu for this special event. Enjoy a jujitsu open mat followed by a peer led support group by two of our facilitators, Rozsa Harris and Floyd Strayer, with the main topic being su***de loss. If you know a Veteran who does jiujitsu please spread the word.

11/17/2024

11/14/2024

Please join us in remembering Bobby Keller! These words were written by his father, Doug, who will be playing with Ella’s Fury in his son’s memory this Saturday at 7pm!

Bobby was a very kind, generous soul and very well liked and respected, whatever he focused on he did extremely well. Especially being a musician and guitarist. He self taught even though I offered him lessons. He just said " buy me gear once in a while Dad instead". He enlisted in the Army to serve his country in 2017. He excelled as an Apache helicopter mechanic. He was stationed in Germany and unfortunately like most survivors found out after they had gone, he was struggling with personal issues that were hidden from the world. He passed August 6, 2019.

I was crippled by my grief, and was trying to find some way to heal and honor him. I inherited over 14 guitars and a bunch of music equipment. I displayed them on my wall to honor him. I felt that somebody should give his music equipment love and not just be something hanging on a wall. I decided at the age of 52 to start taking guitar lessons to honor him. It's been a little over 3 years since I started, and I am amazed at how many friends and incredible people I have met on my journey. I have literally made a new music family. When I play I feel connected to Bobby almost like I am able to communicate with him. I can honestly say that music has saved my life. His journey became my journey. My instructo Lucas Clayton started something to honor him as well. Putting Bobby's memorial pick on his instrument. I was so overwhelmed by the support . Since then multiple people have done the same. My biggest goal was not to have Bobby forgotten and it is humbling to see how many wonderful people have got to know him because of music. I am grateful to SOSL for letting me honor him and others at their benefit concert as well as Aztec Brewery for hosting.
I am forever grateful. I miss you and love you so very much, you will never be forgotten.
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11/02/2024

We have 9 different bands performing on November 16th for Survivors of Su***de Loss! We’ve upgraded our sound to make watching live on FB 10x better so please tune in and support our cause! Please help us keep spreading awareness for those we’ve lost to su***de and those affected by su***de loss! ***deloss ***de

10/14/2024

No 4S meeting on Wednesday October 16th The next one is scheduled for the October 23rd. Our apologies!

10/14/2024

Register for SOSL Day November 23rd, we have a panel of facilitators/survivors who take questions from the audience and then split into support groups by type of loss. PM us and we will send you the link to register! Don’t miss the theme this year, can you guess what it is from the image below? ***deloss ***deloss ***delosssandiego

10/13/2024

meet Kim Bozart!

Kim Bozart currently serves as the Board Secretary for SOSL. She’s been volunteering and invested in the success of SOSL since 2016.

Kim works full time at PERT, The Psychiatric Emergency Response Team, for over 15 years as a Field Operations Supervisor. This has afforded her the opportunity to interact in the community providing direct services to those experiencing a significant crisis.

In her spare time, Kim enjoys cheering on her child’s soccer team, running, hiking, baking and gardening. She finds the outdoors refreshing and rejuvenating giving her the energy and a healthy mind to tackle any challenges life throws at her.

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10/10/2024

09/29/2024

Meet Monica!
Monica is a retired law enforcement Sergeant, found SOSL in 2016 after losing her academy mate and best friend, Captain Christine Harvel, to su***de. This tragedy sparked her commitment to understanding mental health and its impact on first responders. She currently volunteers for COPLINE and the San Diego Sheriff’s Wellness Unit, and works with The Counseling Team International, and now serves as President of Survivors of Su***de Loss. Passionate about sharing her story, Monica honors Christine’s memory by helping others in similar situations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending Padre and Wave games, going to concerts at the Rady Shell, and spending time with her family—husband Greg, daughter Nicole, son Cory, and their rescue animals.

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09/22/2024

Meet Lauren Cook!
I’ve been with SOSL as the Executive Director since January 4, 2021, and have worked for different nonprofits my whole career.

When my son was a senior in high school, one of his favorite teachers lost his son to su***de. It shook me to my core and sparked a new level of conversation we began to have as a family. Nothing was off limits. I started reading more about su***de, su***de prevention and mental health.

Two years later, as I worked for a foster youth agency, we lost three youth to su***de in a 12-month period. I kept reading. And trying to figure it all out but it never felt…resolved.

When I applied for the ED role with SOSL I was candid that I was interested in helping survivors and promoting su***de prevention but wasn’t a “survivor.” That’s when I learned about The Ripple Effect.”

“A su***de is like a pebble in a pond. The waves ripple outward. Visually, when you see a pebble drop into a pond, it’s something small that makes a big impact. The first “waves,” close by, are big, and as they move outward, they get smaller and smaller. The reach of the pebble’s waves is much greater than the size of the pebble itself.

Ultimately, in the way that a pond is changed because of a pebble, an entire community can be changed by a su***de. It is estimated that 150 people are exposed to a single su***de, with one in five reporting that this experience had a devastating impact or caused a major-life disruption.” (Information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness)

That day I learned I was a survivor. I was part of the pond and while the pebble didn’t splash me the most, I still felt the waves.

I am so honored to be part of an organization that reaches out and takes care of those impacted by su***de. And as a community, everyone is affected by su***de.

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09/22/2024

Michele Madden wrapped up her last speech for Survivors of Su***de Loss yesterday. We thank you for serving our community all these years! If you’ve been personally helped by Michele leave a comment and let her know you appreciated all she did to help you through your loss! She’s off to pursue a new passion and help more people in need! Best of luck!

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09/08/2024

Thank you to all the businesses who donated to our walk!

09/06/2024

Here's all the events for our Walk Sunday!

The Walk is this Sunday! If you haven’t already it’s not too late to start a team and invite your friends & family, or walk individually. This is a day for everyone to come together and walk in remembrance of their loved one and the life they lived.

All ages, friends, family and pets are welcome to join.
Sign up to walk today!
http://walkinginhopesd.org
100% of the funds raised stay in San Diego County for su***de loss survivor support and community awareness efforts.