Samaritans logo and motto _You are not alone_ Samaritans Snapshot


August 2018
"Hearing from you was like having a life preserver tossed out to me when I was drowning. It is a huge comfort knowing there are people like you in the world." - Suicide loss survivor
Running the Samaritans 5K as Self-Care

"People who care about the cause they are running for are practicing self-care. Each piece of the self-care puzzle can be just one small thing you do each day to improve your mental health." 

5K Team Captain Kendra Quincy Knauf of Team BeCause shares her insights as a mental health counselor on finding self-care that works for you. For Kendra, one piece of her self-care is participating in the  Samaritans 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention!
Logo Text- 20th annual Samaritans 5k Run-walk for suicide prevention.

Saturday, September 29, 2018 
Artesani Park, Brighton, MA

With nearly 100 teams registered, the 20th Annual Samaritans 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention is off to an exciting start! Still need to sign up? Register today to remember and celebrate our loved ones, reduce the stigma of suicide and mental illness, and save lives through suicide prevention.  All pre-registered walkers, runners, and volunteers will receive a complimentary 20th anniversary event t-shirt. We run for those we remember. We walk for those we love. We come together to make a difference.
Families of Attempt Survivors Support Group

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "families of attempt survivors often feel they are walking on eggshells - trying to toe the line between giving their loved one space and hovering over their loved one to keep them safe. For this reason, SAMHSA recognizes that the experience of supporting someone who has survived an attempt can be emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting."

If you support a suicide attempt survivor, you do not have to navigate the experience alone. Join a community of your peers that understand your experience. In partnership with Riverside Trauma Center, Samaritans' Grief Support Services program is hosting an upcoming support group series for family members living with a loved one who has attempted suicide. During the support group, you will learn from a trained clinician healthy coping skills for supporting the loved ones in your daily life.

The meetings will be held weekly in Needham on Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. from September 25th to October 30th. Participants must be able to attend every meeting. To register for the support group, email Debbie DiMasi, Director of Grief Support Services. This is a closed group (not a drop-in meeting), so we will be in touch with you to complete an intake by phone. There is no fee for participation.
Welcome Our Newest Volunteers

Twelve Befrienders have joined the Samaritans family! These volunteers have completed their training and are ready to answering calls, texts, and chats in our Crisis Center. Congratulations and welcome! 
Student Mental Health During Back-to-School Season

September is quickly approaching, which means it is back-to-school season! We encourage school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors to prioritize students' mental health year-round, but especially while beginning the new school year. Starting the new school year can be stressful and overwhelming with the anticipation of what a new school year may bring. As September is also Suicide Prevention Month, it is important for students to know how and where to reach out for help when they are faced with a crisis. We offer several different types of school-based training to help prevent suicide and open up dialogue.
 
Our suicide prevention workshops for youth give young people a safe forum for conversation about their struggles -- whether bullying, harassment on social media, difficult coursework, unhealthy friendships, or problems at home. Students discuss suicide myths, prevention strategies, and what to do when they or a friend needs help. Workshops aim to help students understand their emotions and feel less alone.
 
Additionally, we are available to provide training for school staff and parent groups. Training provides tools and resources for responding to a student in crisis, as well as recognizing risk factors and warning signs. Discussion includes school protocols and de-stigmatizing suicide in the community. Participants will learn how to best support students during stressful times, and develop foundational knowledge and practical tools to talk to youth in a compassionate way that is free of judgment, so they feel heard and respected.
Katie Cooper Joins Samaritans as Volunteer Coordinator

Hey everyone, I'm Katie! I've been working as a Volunteer Coordinator at Samaritans since June of 2018. After growing up in the vibrant, quirky, and absurdly hot desert town of Tucson, Arizona, I decided I needed a change of pace and chose to relocate to Massachusetts to begin the next chapter of my life.

I trained, managed, and coached over 200 literacy volunteers at a nonprofit in my hometown community for two years prior to joining this organization. Although working in education was empowering, I realized that my favorite part of my job was not so much teaching content, but connecting with volunteers and students and helping them discover their own potential to build resilience and overcome adversity. I vowed to pursue a career that would allow me to mentor and support people to this degree on a regular basis.

Samaritans' mission instantly struck a chord with me. The importance of mental wellness has been on my radar for as long as I can remember. I know, love, and am related to numerous people who have either survived a loss or have been in a dark place themselves, and have faced mental health challenges personally as well. I cannot think of a more fulfilling organization to work for than Samaritans.  On any given day, you can find me practicing self-care by running, cooking, meditating, writing mildly brooding poetry, reading nerdy nonfiction books, making up songs about mundane tasks, or embarking upon random adventures with people I love.
Applications Open for Boston Marathon


The incredible runners on our Boston Marathon teams run for all different reasons. Some are loss survivors. Some are participants in our programs. Some are athletes who want to support a cause.  Whatever your reason, we encourage you to apply to be a part of our 2019 team.  The selection of runners for the 2019 Samaritans Marathon Team is competitive and applications will be evaluated based on each applicant's proposed fundraising commitment and plan, personal story, connection to the organization and mission, and commitment to completing the Boston Marathon.  Submit your complete application and $26 application fee by September 6, 2018 to be considered.
Become a Grief Support Services Volunteer

We are always searching for volunteers to assist with our Grief Support Services (GSS) team, supporting those who have been affected by a loss from suicide. GSS volunteers have been personally impacted by a loss to suicide and are at a place in their own healing which allows them to help others as they travel a similar path. Volunteers facilitate SafePlace peer-support groups and participate in Survivor-to-Survivor Network (SSN) home visits to individuals and families looking for one-on-one support.
 
Led by clinical consultant John (Jack) Jordan, PhD., GSS Director Debbie DiMasi, and GSS Manager Emily Britt, volunteers are trained on many different concepts and techniques to ensure that they are well-equipped to facilitate discussion among those who are grieving. Beyond learning about bereavement and mourning, volunteers are taught about the impact of suicide on families and common feelings among survivors.

The next training for GSS volunteers will take place on October 6, 7, and 13. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, we encourage you to fill out the Volunteer Interest Form below, and we will contact you shortly about the steps to take to become a volunteer.  While we ask for a one-year commitment, many volunteers have been on our GSS team for years. We offer flexibility in volunteering, with no set hourly or meeting commitment, as well as mentorship during SafePlace meetings and SSN visits. 

Career and Internship Opportunities
  • Community Education and Outreach Coordinator (part-time)
  • Overnight Helpline Coordinator (16-24 hours)
  • Special Events Intern
  • Crisis Services Intern
  • Community Education and Outreach Intern
  • Development and Marketing Intern
Facebook Fundraising

Do you have a birthday, anniversary, or other significant day coming up soon? Many people are turning to Facebook Fundraising on their special day to support our programs and services.  Creating a Facebook Fundraiser is easy: go to our  Facebook Fundraiser page  and click  Raise Money . Facebook will walk you through the steps to set you your fundraiser, and the money raised will go directly to Samaritans! 
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