Heartbeat GJ
Survivors After Suicide Loss
Heartbeat was organized to help survivors absorb the impact of the self-inflicted death, to offer comfort of empathy, understanding and to support each other toward a healthy resolution to the grief.
Please contact us via email at gjheartbeat@gmail.com if you have any issues using this site. We appreciate your patience.
No matter where you are in your grief journey, you are among those who listen with compassion and understanding.
Heartbeat is very grateful to Calamity Janes Tattoo and Piercing for hosting a fundraiser for us on Saturday, November 9th, and their donation from this event.
We also appreciate the ongoing support from the Colorado National Collaborative Grant that helps us provide materials for meetings, supplies, community outreach, and Day of Remembrance event.
Heartbeat functions because of private donations. We are all volunteer peer support suicide loss survivors.
Topic for December 2024 - Wishing Upon A Star: Wishing upon a star won't bring our loved one back. But what can we wish for that can come true as it pertains to how life is now after loss? In lieu of our usual December Candlelight Ceremony, we will still have the opportunity to light candles in memory of our loved ones, but will focus more on sharing. Feel free to bring your or your loved one's favorite food or snack to share.
Topic for January 2025 - Unexpected Surprises: Cherlyn Crawford will lead a watercolor activity to illustrate the effect of surprises. Discussion will involve how we handle surprises as related to our loss. The state of being surprised has affects on our bodies, emotions, and mental state.
Topic for February 2025 - Connections: Being connected to other people is of primary importance in most people's lives. Those we love remain in our hearts forever. The connections we have can make it possible to get through life's 'storms' easier. Others to share with and talk about hard subjects, can give us more support. We will do an activity exploring connections we have in our lives; and then have an opportunity to talk about our connection to the loved one who died.
Informal Coffee meetings: Every 2nd Saturday of each month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Come and be with other loss survivors in this informal coffee gathering at 4 Winds Coffee (corner of Bookcliff Ave. and 12th St. in Grand Junction) You're not required to stay the whole time, come for whatever length of time during this time frame. A chance to socialize without having to 'put on a happy face'.
Our meetings offer an opportunity to share and learn ways of coping with grief and stress through discussion and activities. We do not require anyone to have to talk. Just listening can be enlightening. We are always open to suggestions for topics or activities. We do not walk alone.
If you or someone you know is in need of support,and you’d like to talk to a peer, warmline.org contains links to warmlines in every state. For peer support in Colorado call 1-844-493-(TALK) and press *, or text “TALK” to 38255. The national suicide hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK, with a chat option, or text ‘HOME’ TO 741741. New National Hotline 988.
NOTE: Many crisis related resources could utilize restrictive interventions, like active rescues (wellness or welfare checks) involving law enforcement or emergency services. A warmline is least likely to do this, but may still have such policies. You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you.
LOCAL IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR LOSS SURVIVORS
GriefShare - GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Christian centered program. griefshare.org
HopeWest Kids - Grades K-12: Grief support, classes, and camps for children and teens. hopewestco.org/hopewest-kids
The Compassionate Friends - Mesa - Child, grandchild, and sibling loss support group. The Compassionate Friends are welcoming to suicide loss survivors. Through The Compassionate Friend’s website, there are more print, virtual, and social media support options.compassionatefriends.org
NEW - The Heartlight Center now has a support group meeting on the 4th Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m., at Taylor's Funeral Home in Delta. $15 donation suggested. Some groups meet at Brown's Funeral Home. A virtual group meets via Zoom on the 2nd Thursdays at 7 p.m. Registration required. Contact Carrie Bauer at cbauer@heartlightcenter.org or call 720-748-9908, for more information on new groups or opportunities on grief support.
FORUMS, PHONE, PRINT, & VIRTUAL
Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors - Offering loss survivor resources and an 24/7 online discussion forum where you can connect with others who’ve lost a loved one to suicide. Allianceofhope.org
Colorado Grief Care - Downloadable pamphlets for people bereaved by suicide in Mesa County. coloradogriefcare.org
Friends for Survival - Monthly newsletter, virtual suicide loss support group meetings, and printed resources. Friendsforsurvival.org
Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing - for those who have lost someone to substance use or addiction. Print, virtual, and social media support resources. Grasphelp.org
iCare Packages - iCare packages contain resources to help support an individual or family with the loss of a loved one to suicide. Suicidepreventioncolorado.org/icare-packages
The Dougy Center - Online print and virtual resources for children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. Dougy.org
Veterans Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Offering compassionate support to those who lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces. Mesa County does not have an active TAPS chapter, though the Grand Junction VA Medical Center does have several peer and clinical providers trained in suicide loss support. Taps.org
ManTherapy - Designed for helping men with grief, loss, stress, feelings, and general issues, in a way that appeals to men. Hosted by Richard Mahogany, Mantherapy.org.
If you are struggling to find resources for any needs go to https://www.mesacounty.us>Grandvalleyconnects.com. Don't let a lack of resources to help you in life's situations become a crisis. There are solutions! They will help you find and connect to resources that can help.