Dec 15, 2014 1 min read

Monongahela Valley Hospital will begin a Suicide Bereavement Support Group for anyone who has been touched by suicide.

Beginning Feb. 9, the group will meet at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center.

The free informal group meetings will be led by staff psychologist Sam Lonich, who has extensive professional experience working with suicide survivors. Lonich said that cultural, religious and social taboos surrounding suicide can make the grieving process all the more difficult. In addition, the need to rebuild one’s life while trying to understand the reasons for the suicide makes bereavement highly stressful after such a loss.

Nearly 40,000 Americans die by suicide each year, and the aftermath of grief and bereavement extends much further, with a conservative estimate of six survivors left behind for every suicide death.

Registration is required by calling Lonich at 724-268-1144. Deadline to register is Feb. 6.