蝌蚪窝

What to tell others about your loss is a personal choice. Honesty about the loss and the type of loss has been found to be helpful in addressing grief and stigma around suicide. Details do not need to be shared. Some additional considerations are below:

Children & Teens: It is recommended to start with an honest, simple explanation for the loss. Details do not need to be shared. Let the child’s/teen’s questions guide the conversation. Being open about the loss will help children and youth begin to process the death. Saying the word “suicide” will not increase the risk of someone dying by suicide.

See the Supporting Others: Children, Youth, and Young Adults dropdown below and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's  for more information.

Media Guidelines: Media may or may not be interested in your situation. You do not have to speak to the media. If the media comes to you or you know the media will be reporting, it is suggested they follow reporting guidelines for suicide. These guidelines can be found on the .

Safe Language: Suicide and suicide loss is often stigmatized, leaving people feeling isolated. When communicating about suicide, it is important to use safe language that puts people first and reduces stigma around mental health and suicide. One example of safe language is to use the phrase “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide.

For more information, please see 988's  resource.

Before you can take care of others, you will need to take care of yourself. If you can, ask for help from others. Try to eat well, drink water, sleep, and exercise if you can. Find a trusted professional to talk to. See the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's for more information.

Grief
Everyone grieves in their own way, in their own time. Children may not show any outward feelings of grief or may show their grief through certain behaviors (e.g., physical aggression, stomach pain). Often, children will play and act 鈥渘ormal.鈥� Still, children and youth will experience similar feelings of anger, guilt, fear, and anxiety. It will be important to listen and reassure them you are there to support them if and when they are ready to talk.

What to Share
It is recommended to start with an honest, simple explanation about the death. Details do not need to be shared. Let the child鈥檚/teen鈥檚 questions guide the conversation. Being open about the loss will help children and youth begin to process the death. Saying the word 鈥渟uicide鈥� will not increase the risk of someone dying by suicide. See the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's for more information.

Children's Grief and Bereavement Resources

• • (414) 337-4250
  • griefsupport@childrenswi.org
  • Bereavement Coordinator: Nichole Stangel
    • (414) 266-2995
    • nstangel@childrenswi.org
• • Project Ujima is a community program that helps victims of violence and provides services at Children's Wisconsin, your home, and in the community.
  • They typically work with young children and teens
  • Contact: (414) 266-2557
• • Healing Hearts offers general grief support groups for families, including Spanish language groups.
  • Note: Their groups are for all types of grief, not only grief related to suicide loss.
• • 听Support for children, teens, adults, and families.
• • Held virtually on Mondays from 7-8:30 p.m. ET
• • Held virtually on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. ET
• • 听Free weekend camp for grieving children, teens, and families in Wisconsin
• • Camps for children ages 7-25 in New Jersey or Michigan.

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On Scene Experience
At first, the death of your loved one will be viewed as an investigation. This means, first responders will need to ask several questions. It may feel like you are being investigated. You may also be separated from other loved ones for a time. You may be asked the following about your loved one:

• The last time you saw or spoke to your loved one
• 蝌蚪窝, mental health, or substance use history
• Challenges faced by your loved one (e.g., financial, legal, relationship)
• Access to medication or firearms

Items from the scene, like personal belongings or a suicide note, will often be kept by the investigators. You will also be asked about an autopsy, screening for substances, and organ donation.

Cleaning Services
If cleaning services are needed for your home, the cost may be covered by your home or rental insurance. Contact your insurance provider first. This list is not exhaustive. An online search for biohazard cleaning should provide additional results.

• 
  
  • (414) 418-2521

Closing Accounts and Insurance
In the days and weeks after your loss, you will need to think about any important accounts or policies your loved one had. Copies of the death certificate may be needed for each account.

Depending on the type of account you will be closing, a Fact of Death Certificate (does not contain manner or cause of death) may be sufficient or an Extended Fact of Death Certificate will be needed. For more information, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services page. 听

• Life Insurance 鈥� Each policy may be different. It will be important to review your specific policy regarding a 鈥渟uicide exclusion鈥� or 鈥渋ncontestability.鈥� Generally, if the death occurred within the first 2 years of a policy, the death benefit claim can be denied.
• Health Insurance 鈥� If you are covered by your loved one鈥檚 insurance, you may be able to continue this coverage if premiums are paid.
• Car Insurance 鈥� Taking your loved one off the policy will reduce your premium payment.
• Other accounts 鈥� Credit cards, bank accounts, utility accounts and others may need to be closed or changed to your name only.

蝌蚪窝 and Other Bills

• If your loved one was an adult or non-dependent you are not responsible for medical bills, loans, and other debts (e.g., credit cards, car payments, home loans) that were in their name only. However, payments may need to be covered by the individual鈥檚 estate if funds are available.
• If your name is on any of these accounts, or you are a parent, you are responsible for payment. Social security benefits, life insurance, and other savings may be used. Additionally, in Wisconsin if you are the living spouse, you are responsible for payment.

Estate Settlement & Probate

• Probate is the court-supervised process for the orderly transfer of an individual鈥檚 assets to those who are entitled to receive them.
• If your loved one left behind assets titled solely in their own name with no beneficiary designations, payable-on-death instructions, or living trust, and the total value of those assets exceeds the state鈥檚 small-estate limit, probate may be needed.

• Marquette University Volunteer Legal Clinics
  • Free brief legal advice. Visit website for most up-to-date-information as clinics are subject to change.
  • Estate Planning & Probate Clinic provides help with estate steps, probate requirements, and related forms
  • For probate assistance, bring the following items with you (if possible):
    • A copy of the will
    • A list of your loved one鈥檚 property and its value
    • The death certificate
    • A list of family member鈥檚 names and addresses

Grief after a suicide loss can be complicated and often isolating. Feelings can include shock, anger, guilt, and depression-like symptoms (e.g., disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, intense sadness, lack of energy). You may also feel the effects of trauma (e.g., on-edge or extreme alertness, being easily upset).

Getting help with these feelings will be important for you to process your grief.

Suicide Bereavement-Trained Clinicians for Adults
These clinicians have been specially trained to work with individuals who have experienced suicide loss. Contact us if you would like to schedule with these clinicians. We can provide guidance on how to get scheduled sooner.

• Jennifer Smith, Psy D, LPC
  Pernitz & Smith Psychotherapy
  15460 W. Capitol Dr., Suite 200听
  Brookfield, WI 53005
  (262) 239-5641

• Andrew Schramm, PhD
  8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
  蝌蚪窝/Froedtert
  Milwaukee, WI 53226
  (414) 955-1743
  aschramm@mcw.edu
  
  

• -Outreach 蝌蚪窝 Health Centers

  • Services for uninsured/underinsured
  • Request to see a suicide bereavement trained clinician - they have four across three sites.
  • Walk-in hours at all sites available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • 210 W. Capitol Dr. (414) 257-7665
  • 1635 W. National Ave. (414) 257-7900
  • 8200 W. Silver Spring Dr. (414) 257-5190

One-on-One Therapy Options
When looking for a counselor or therapist, you may want to think about: 1) the person鈥檚 experience with trauma, grief, and loss, 2) shared cultural background or characteristics (e.g., gender, religion, race, or ethnicity), 3) insurance coverage or cost.

Sometimes, finding a good fit with a clinician can be difficult. Not all clinicians are trained in grief and bereavement, and even fewer have specific training in suicide loss. If you are not happy with your care and would like help finding other options, please contact the Postvention Program Manager.

16th Street Clinic Behavioral Health

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) Services: Accepts most commercial insurance plans, BadgerCare Plus, Medicare, sliding fee scale for those uninsured.
• (414) 672-1353

HIR Wellness

• Provides free mental health and wellness services to Milwaukee residents and WI Indigenous Residents
• Program coordinator: Guinevere at GDuquaine@HIRWellness.org
• (414) 763-5815

City of Milwaukee Health Department

• 6 free sessions with local credible clinician or healer, including a counselor or therapist
• Contact Julien Phifer who will coordinate connection
• Office: (414) 758-7693; Email: jphifer@milwaukee.gov

• 6025 N. Green Bay Ave, 2nd Floor
  Glendale, WI
  (414) 247-0801
• Provides mental health counseling and other services, including services for refugees and immigrants
• Accepts Medicaid, Children鈥檚 蝌蚪窝 Health Plan, selected private insurances and sliding scale

Other Ways to Find a Clinician

• Contact your health insurance provider
• Search Mental Health America of Wisconsin's
• To find a culturally competent mental health professional, visit .

Local Therapeutic Options

-Outreach 蝌蚪窝 Health Centers

• Services for uninsured/underinsured
• Request to see a suicide bereavement trained clinician - they have four across three sites.
• Walk-in hours available at all sites from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• 210 W. Capitol Dr. (414) 257-7665
• 1635 W. National Ave. (414) 257-7900
• 8200 W. Silver Spring Dr. (414) 257-5190

• (414) 249-7301
• Focuses on group therapy for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ adults, has separate groups for identifying women, men, & LGBTQ+
• Sign up online or by emailing blackspacemke@gmail.com

• 7954 Harwood Ave.
  Wauwatosa, WI 53213
• (414) 435-9603
• Services on reduced/sliding scale
• Child/youth; grief/loss; art therapy

Froedtert Tosa Health Center Grief Clinic

• 1155 N. Mayfair Rd.
  Wauwatosa, WI 53226
• (414) 955-8952

988

• If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available from the Wisconsin Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Crisis Text Line

• Free, 24/7 confidential
• Connect with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor
• Text HOME or HOLA to 741741

Milwaukee County Crisis Services

• 24-7 crisis support & crisis mobile team
• (414) 257-7222

Trevor Project

• Trained counselors to support individuals who identify with LGBTQIA+ community.
• Available 24/7, 365 days a year
• Text-START to 678-678
• Call 1 (866) 488-7386

Code Green Crisis Line

• 24/7 Peer Support for first responders and family members
• 1 (206) 459-3020

• Must be completed by funeral or crematory providers
• Only for those enrolled in eligible programs (e.g. Badger Care)
• Cannot reimburse expenses already paid

Milwaukee County DHHS Burial Assistance Program

• For Milwaukee County residents who are not eligible for WFCA program
• Maximum covered $400
• Must meet income and asset guidelines
• (414) 289-6714

Individuals who have experienced a loss from suicide have often found it helpful to meet with others who have faced a similar loss. Most often, this happens through support groups, one-on-one peer support, or online.

Suicide-Specific Groups

• South Side Group
  • Held virtually on the second Tuesday of the month
  • 7:30-8:30 p.m.
• North Side Group
  • Held virtually on the first Wednesday of the month
  • 6-7 p.m.
• East Side Group
  • Held virtually on the third Wednesday of the month
  • 7-8 p.m.
• For meeting details, contact erica@mhawisconsin.org听or call (414) 336-7984.
• In-person Northwest Side Milwaukee Support Group
  • Date: Third Monday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Good Hope Library (Room 1), 7715 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223
  • Contact: Jaclyn Weir at shsnorthwestmke@gmail.com

Survivors Helping Survivors - Hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Held in-person on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Held virtually on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7-8 p.m.
• For family members and friends 18+.
• People interested in attending must register by the Monday prior to the group.
• E-mail Jennifer Smith at jsmith@namisoutheastwi.org for location details and information.

Mourning & Muffins: Loss Through Suicide Support Group

• Held in-person on the second Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m.
• Elmbrook Church, Room B227
  777 S. Barker Rd.
  Brookfield, WI 53045
• Registration not required
• Contact Barb at (262) 424-8375 for questions.

Guided Grief Meditation Circles - Hosted by

• Held in a hybrid format every Wednesday and Friday from 4-6 p.m.
• Location: 3136 W. Kilbourn Ave.
• For more information or to register, contact Guinevere at GDuQuaine@HIRWellness.org or call (414) 763-5815.

Healing Conversations

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Wisconsin Chapter

Peer support (someone who has experienced a similar loss) is provided through one-on-one meetings (in person, over phone, virtual).

• Gena Orlando, Area Director
  gorlando@afsp.org
  (414) 216-4180

To be connected, fill out the .

Online Resources

• • Local information and resources
  • Special resource section for specific populations

• • Find helpful resources to help you understand, cope, and begin to heal
  • Find information for the newly bereaved

• • Provides resources, including a monthly newsletter
  • Online support groups
  • Toll Free Suicide Loss Helpline: 1 (800) 646-7322

• • Online support groups for teens and adults, including loss specific groups (e.g., fathers)

Social Media

• Facebook Groups:
  • Young Adult Survivors of Suicide Loss (YASSL)
  • Friends for Survival
• Instagram
  • #survivorsofsuicideloss
  • afspwichapter
  • mcwsuicideprev
  • chaosofloss
  • unlockethelight
  • letters_to_john

• Non-crisis peer phone/text line open to Hmong community members.
• Open to assist calls and texts 24/7
• 1 (877) 740-4292

Service Member, Veteran & Family (SMVF) Warmline

• 24/7 support for Wisconsin residents who are currently serving or have previously served and their families.
• Leave a message with call-back information, county of residence, and veteran/military connection.
• (262) 336-9540

Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline

• 24/7 support for Wisconsin farmers and family members
• (888) 901-2558

Friendship Line

• 24/7 support for people aged 60 years and older or adults living with disabilities
• 1 (800) 971-0016

• Support for U.S. physicians and medical students that is confidential and anonymous
• 1 (888) 409-0141
• Operates from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. ET

To receive support from MCW faculty/staff trained in suicide loss, please contact the MKE LOSS program. The resources below are available to individuals in MCW/Froedtert; however, not all clinicians or programs have knowledge or experience in grief and bereavement, and even fewer have specific training in suicide loss. It may be beneficial to ask directly about suicide bereavement experience, and/or experience in grief and trauma.

With MCW, you have two primary benefits for accessing mental health services:

1. MCW Student and Resident Behavioral Health
2. Student Assistance Program, Com Psych/Guidance Resources

The first ten sessions are provided to students free of charge. This benefit extends to spouses and children of the resident or fellow. After that, co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance are paid in accordance with the patient's health insurance plan.

The same benefit applies to our Student Assistance Program, ComPsych, which offers a wide array of skilled clinicians (but not prescribers) across the Milwaukee area and Wisconsin, some with extended hours. This is an option for those who wish to seek services outside of the MCW/Froedtert network.

Benefits for Housestaff

The first three (3) sessions are provided to housestaff free of charge, courtesy of MCWAH. This benefit extends to spouses and children of the resident or fellow. After that, co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance are paid in accordance with the patient's health insurance plan.

Employee and Family Assistance Program

• See the HR Benefits - Employee and Family Assistance Program InfoScope page (network access required)
• Call: (866) 379-0237
• TTY: (800) 697-0353

Support Our Staff (SOS) Peer Program

• See the GME Peer Supporter Program InfoScope page (network access required)
• The goals of this program are to promote a stronger peer support network, enhance provider well-being, and ultimately improve patient safety. Individual Peer Supporters are trained to support their colleagues and foster awareness about Second Victim Syndrome.
• See website to find your department鈥檚 peer supporter or page the SOS Team: (414) 314-1763