Global Events Remind Thousands of Suicide Loss Survivors They Are Not Alone Ahead of Thanksgiving
November 12, 2026 – 5 min read
By AFSP
NEW YORK (Nov. 12, 2026) — For those who have lost someone to suicide, the holiday season can stir up feelings of grief, sadness, and loneliness, but community and connection can provide comfort, understanding, and a sense of belonging. Ahead of Thanksgiving, thousands of suicide loss survivors across the U.S. and globally will gather for hope and healing. Recognizing International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, or Survivor Day, on November 21, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) invites suicide loss survivors to participate by tuning in to virtual events or finding an event near them offered through their local AFSP chapter.
In 2025, nearly 7,000 individuals participated in Survivor Day events, with 291 hosted across the U.S. and 15 internationally. This year, nearly 300 events are planned, bringing together people who have experienced suicide loss to connect with others who understand, honor and remember their loved ones, and find hope and healing.
In addition to AFSP local chapter events, individuals are invited to participate in national virtual events taking place on Facebook or YouTube at the below times:
Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. ET: L.E.T.S. Survive Suicide Loss: A Survivor Day Live Event for Black and African American Communities:
L.E.T.S. Survive Suicide Loss is a Survivor Day Live event created by and for Black and African American suicide loss survivors. The name gives a nod to AFSP’s L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities, a presentation designed to reduce cultural stigma around suicide, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American.
Through personal stories of loss, grief, and healing, panelists will share their experiences and perspectives, fostering connection, understanding, and hope. This culturally affirming discussion offers an opportunity for attendees to feel less alone in their grief and find support through shared experiences.
Moderated by Victor Armstrong, AFSP vice president for Health Equity & Engagement, the panel will feature Chester Gregory, award-winning actor, singer, speaker, and coach; T-Kea Blackman, executive director and co-founder of Black People Die By Suicide Too; Doug Middleton, wellness entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and former NFL athlete; and Dionne Monsanto, grief coach, speaker, author, yoga teacher, and dance teacher. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present.
“When you lose someone to suicide, you can spend years going back through conversations, wondering what you missed,” said Chester Gregory. “After losing my father, I know what it’s like to carry those questions. I wanted to be part of this conversation because talking about grief gives us a chance to put words to what we may have spent years trying to understand.”
Día de Esperanza includes a Spanish-language panel discussion about perspectives on mental health and suicide loss in Hispanic and Latinx culture. Panelists will share their experiences navigating grief, guilt and self-blame, and finding hope and joy after loss. Moderated by María de los Ángeles Corral, AFSP’s vice president of public relations, the discussion will feature suicide loss survivors Dr. Nancy V. Brown, Vanessa Ayala Medina, Rodolfo Beltran, and Dr. Rafis Nin.
"You can experience grief but give yourself permission to also feel joy,” said Dr. Rafis Nin. “Both emotions honor your loved one who died by suicide, and we shouldn’t punish ourselves for not feeling enough of either one.”
Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. ET: Survivor Day Live
Survivor Day Live will feature a presentation led by Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LCSW, a psychotherapist educator, nationally recognized expert in suicide prevention, assessment, and intervention, author of Helping the Suicidal Person and Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts, and founder of the widely used resource website Speaking of Suicide. Dr. Freedenthal will explore feelings of self-blame, guilt, and regret common among many people who have lost someone to suicide and will reflect on the complexity of suicide and the reality that suicide cannot always be prevented — an important and compassionate message for suicide loss survivors. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present.
“Letting go of self-blame does not mean letting go of the person,” said Dr. Freendenthal. “It means making room for the whole of who they were.”
Additional virtual events created by and for specific communities can be found here.
For those unable to attend a Survivor Day event, additional opportunities for support and connection are available. Watch virtual event recordings on AFSP’s Facebook and YouTube channels, connect with a fellow loss survivor through Healing Conversations — a program offering a one-time peer support visit (phone, virtual, in-person) with trained volunteers who have also experienced suicide loss — or explore additional resources at afsp.org/loss.
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with its Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Jed Foundation (JED) intend to merge as equals to form AFSP/JED, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide across the lifespan, and bringing hope to those affected by suicide loss or risk. The AFSP/JED mission would reflect a commitment to bring together AFSP’s research, advocacy, chapter network, and loss-support expertise with JED’s comprehensive approach to suicide prevention and evidence-informed youth mental health programs, creating greater scale, reach, and impact at a time of urgent national need. Read more about our recent announcement.
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