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"I learned that suicide prevention is not about providing solutions, but about listening, engaging, and letting the person be heard." -Workshop participant
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Suicide Prevention in the Corporate Workplace
In Massachusetts, more than 600 people die by suicide each year - one person every 15 hours. Does your community know how to help someone in crisis?
Employees are in a good position to notice changes in behavior in their fellow coworkers. Spending many hours each day with someone can give insight about fluctuations in their moods and habits.
As part of our Community Education and Outreach (CEO) program, we host free workshops for corporate employees. These workshops break down the stigma of suicide and mental illness, and provide a supportive environment for discussion among colleagues. With the help of our workshops, your group will learn about suicide risk factors, warning signs, building resiliency, and befriending those in need.
On April 24, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) held two suicide prevention workshops at their Boston offices on how to support those at risk in the workplace. These workshops followed sessions that PwC held in the fall of 2017. Following PwC's mantra "Be well, work well," more than 70 staff members learned how to dispel myths surrounding suicide, identify someone at risk, help someone in crisis, and manage their own reactions.
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Grief after Suicide Workshops
Surviving the suicide of a loved one is a potentially life-changing ordeal that requires all of the resilience that a loss survivor can muster, and all the support and understanding that family and community can provide. Our Grief after Suicide workshops draw on presenter
Jack Jordan's years of experience as a grief counselor specializing in work with suicide loss survivors to describe the remarkable pathways of healing that survivors and communities can travel.
Workshops held in Quincy and Worcester earlier this month focused on how grief after suicide is different than other deaths, prominent and common feelings after a suicide, and coping mechanisms for loss survivors. The workshops also offered ways in which friends, families, and communities can help.
Registration is still open for Boston and Needham workshops next week, which will cover the same array of topics.
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Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event
Throughout April, organizations across the country celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Month. On April 13, we welcomed more than 50 Samaritans volunteers to
Cambridge Innovation Center to socialize and celebrate their accomplishments. During the program, Crisis Services and Grief Support volunteers were acknowledged for dedicating their time and energy to suicide prevention and survivor support. Volunteers who had devoted the most hours to answering our Helpline were recognized. As always, we are so thankful to all of our incredible volunteers!
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Record-Breaking Breakfast for Hope
At this year's Breakfast for Hope, we welcomed 700 people to break the silence with us for suicide prevention. Together, we raised more than $372,000 in support of our programs! We are grateful to all who participated, with a special thank you to our fantastic speakers, Secretary Marylou Sudders, MSW, ACSW of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Joseph D. Feaster, Jr., Of Counsel, McKenzie & Associates P.C., Samaritans Council Member.
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During the Breakfast, the following video was shown with participants from our Community Education and Outreach suicide prevention workshops sharing their experiences and describing the reality of why our work is so necessary.
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Grief Support Workshops at National & State Conferences
Over the last few weeks, Samaritans' Grief Support Services team presented at national and state suicide prevention conferences on their work with suicide loss survivors.
APRIL - At the American Association of Suicidology's 51st Annual Conference, Debbie DiMasi (Director of Grief Support Services at Samaritans) presented with Waheeda Saif, LMHC (Program Coordinator at Riverside Trauma Center) about the impact of a loved one's suicide attempt and finding a place of hope.
 MAY - At the 17th Annual Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Conference, Debbie and Emily Britt (Manager of Grief Support Services at Samaritans) moderated a panel entitled The Face of Suicide. The panel of suicide loss survivors brought voices to the stories behind suicide statistics -- stories of love and joy, hard fought battles, unspeakable loss, immeasurable pain, and navigating the difficult journey of grief, acceptance, hope, and resilience.
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Rainy Marathon Success
On April 16, our 14 team members trekked out into torrential downpours to run the 122nd Boston Marathon. Facing unbearable weather conditions, the runners persisted to achieve their goal of running to raise funds for suicide prevention. We are so proud of their achievements and grateful for their support for our programs and services! Check out all the hugs and high-fives in our
Flickr album. There's still time to give on behalf of a tenacious and determined team!
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New Class of Befrienders
Welcome and congratulations to our new Crisis Center volunteers! We are thankful to you for investing your time and energy to become Befrienders and support suicide prevention.
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Saturday, September 29, 2018
Artesani Park, Brighton, MA
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Register today
to remember and celebrate our loved ones, reduce the stigma of suicide and mental illness, and save lives through suicide prevention.
Save $5 through May 31st with a special Early Bird rate of $35 for walkers and runners. 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.
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Calling All Boston Globe Subscribers
Do you subscribe to The Boston Globe? If you do, you can help us earn a free ad through their Globe Readers And Nonprofits Together (GRANT) initiative that allows subscribers to help nonprofits earn free advertising space in The Globe. You should receive an email from The Globe about the program, or you can access it at
http://manage.bostonglobe.com/grant/
. Choose Samaritans, Inc. in the drop down menu.
Spread the word and help us earn a free ad!
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Cummings Foundation Sustaining Grant
 We are thrilled to announce that we have been chosen to receive a Cummings Foundation 10-Year
Sustaining Grant. This is a true honor providing wonderful long-term support of $50,000 per year for 10 years.
The generosity of the Foundation will support our suicide prevention workshops and overnight coverage on our 24/7 Helpline!
The Cummings Foundation was founded by Bill and Joyce Cummings and is playing a unique role in greater Boston's philanthropic community. Bill Cummings' new memoir
"Starting Small and Making It Big," shares his philosophy of growing his business and giving back. All proceeds go to Cummings Foundation, and we could not be more proud to recommend this book.
Are you looking to lease commercial space?
Leases in the Cummings Properties portfolio fund the Cummings Foundation's grant-making programs. As the winner of a Cummings grant, Samaritans is eligible for additional funding through a new referral program. If you have a need for commercial space or know someone else who may, our organization could benefit greatly. For full details about this limited-time program,
click here. Please let
Janet Lawn know if you're interested in learning more.
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Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Excellence Awards
Every year, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network honors the passion and impact of nonprofit professionals and organizations in the state's nonprofit sector with the Nonprofit Excellence Awards. Excellence Awards highlight the incredible work of nonprofit professionals and organizations across the state in six categories. Samaritans has been nominated as a finalist for the Excellence Awards in the Advocacy Category! We are in great company with many wonderful nonprofits who are making a difference in our community! Award winners will be announced at Nonprofit Awareness Day on June 4.
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Upcoming Events
OnPoint Improv Samaritans Benefit
Sunday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at The Green Room in Somerville
Voices Raised in Hope - Raising Monday to Fight Teen Suicide
Sunday, June 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Arlington Town Hall
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Career and Internship Opportunities
- Volunteer Coordinator (full-time Tuesday-Saturday)
- Special Events Intern
- Crisis Services Intern
- Community Education and Outreach Intern
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